Resolution 351-2001
COMMISSIONER DIXIE M. SPEHAR
RESOLUTION NO.351 -2001
A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF COUNTY
COMMISSIONERS OF MONROE COUNTY IN
RECOGNITION OF THE LATE CAPTAIN JERRY HOLMES
WHEREAS, Captain Jerry Holmes a former resident of Key West passed away at the age of 50
on August 11, 2001; and
WHEREAS, Captain Holmes and his future wife Mary, met at a Salvation Army summer camp
where they spent 20 years teaching summer school and working with youth programs.
WHEREAS, Captain Holmes a former U.S. Marine, served 13 months in Vietnam, and upon his
return in 1970, he and Mary renewed their friendship and were married two years later; and
WHEREAS, Captain Holmes worked as a Ford Motor Company Service Manager, and in 1991,
he and his wife Mary decided to devote their lives full-time to the Salvation Army; and
WHEREAS, Captain Jerry Holmes, his wife, Captain Mary Holmes, and son, Kenneth Holmes
moved to Key West in 1994, where they dedicated their lives to building up the Salvation Army in
Monroe County. During the time they were here, the Salvation Army increased from just a handful of
volunteers to more than 300 in 2001; and
WHEREAS, Captain Jerry Homes, and his wife Mary, re-energized the whole Salvation Army
effort in Monroe County and expanded the Army's services throughout the Keys; and
WHEREAS, the Salvation Army known for its thrift stores and social services offices throughout
the Keys, Captain Holmes initiated Salvation Army Advisory Councils in Marathon and Key Largo made
up of locals; and there are also open-to-the public adult programs such as the Home League for Women,
the Men's Fellowship, and the League of Mercy; and for the youth there are programs such as the
Sunbeams, Girl Guards and Corps Cadets, emphasizing spiritual, mental, social and physical growth, All
were given a big boost when the Holmes took the helm; and
WHEREAS, Captain Holmes greatly increased the Salvation Army's disaster relief role in
Monroe County with mobile feeding units, disaster supply facilities and shelter management. During
Hurricane Georges, Floyd, and Irene, and Tropical Storms Mitch and Harvey, the Salvation Army set up
showers, and mobile kitchens which served 108,315 meals, provided over 120,000 gallons of water, 3
tractor-trailer loads of ice and sheltered 1,619 people; and
WHEREAS, Lt. Cot. Donald Faulkner in a tribute to Captain Holmes said, "He made our world a
better place and I am a better person because of him," He also said, Captain Holmes was "a man of noble
purposes, a giant of a man"; and
WHEREAS, Captain David Worthy noted, "He certainly had a significant impact on this
community and his touch here will be felt for many years to come"; and
WHEREAS, Captain Holmes was a loving and caring person and will be remembered for his
care and concern for the people in the community, and will be missed by his family and friends; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE MONROE COUNTY BOARD
OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS:
Section 1: The Board hereby adopts this Resolution as an expression to the family of their
deepest sympathy in the passing of the late Captain Jerry Holmes,
Section 2:
family.
Commissioner Dixie M. Spehar forwards a copy of this Resolution to his beloved
PASSED AND ADOPTED by the Board of County Commissioners of Monroe County, Florida,
at a meeting of said Board held on the 19th day of September , A.D., 2001.
Mayor George Neugent
Mayor Pro Tern Nora Williams
Commissioner Charles "Sonny" McCoy
Commissioner Murray Nelson
Commissioner Dixie M. Spehar
Yes
Yes
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Yes
Yes
By -D....,..l- Q c. 6k..,~
Deputy Clerk......
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
~NROE COUNTY, FLORIDA
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Mayor/Chairman
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