Raymond Fredrick Holmes Jr.
April 30, 1944 - June 29, 2024
Obituary
Raymond F. Holmes was born in Tacoma on April 30, 1944. He was the middle child of Raymond F. Holmes Sr. and Elnora L. Reitz. As an infant he was baptized into the Catholic faith. Ray graduated from Franklin Pierce High School in 1963. He attended local community colleges where he studied computer programming, welding and automotive repair.
Ray loved cars! He loved to work on them and add extra features. He could take engines apart and put them back together. He was especially fond of Corvettes. During his lifetime he owned five or six of them. Scuba diving was another activity that he really enjoyed. This sport took him on diving trips all over Puget Sound and the Caribbean. Ray learned how to pilot a plane and remembered landing on the airfield that is now Celebration Park in Federal Way.
Ray was always willing to help and support his family and friends. If you needed a tool he would have it! He repaired lawn mowers, built fences, fixed sprinklers and even felled trees. He loved to figure out why something was not working. Ray wanted and needed to be busy.
In his early adulthood he worked at Tam Engineering in the Nalley Valley neighborhood of Tacoma. He was then employed for 25 years with the State of Washington Department of Transportation maintaining Interstate 5 and the state roads in the greater Federal Way area. He really enjoyed this job because every day was different and challenging.
Ray passed away on June 29, 2024 in Tacoma after battling prostate cancer for two and a half years. He was predeceased by his parents, his brother Robert, his sister Diana and granddaughter Kayleen. He is survived by his daughters Donna and Valerie, his significant other of 11 years Mary Ann and many loving relatives and friends.
Remembrances in his name may be made to The Bird Gardens of Naples, Florida where his beloved parrot, Georgie, is living with his feathered friends. The Auburn Valley Humane Society of Auburn, Washington or a charity of your choice.
