Deacon Ricardo Holmes

Ricardo “Rick” Holmes, made his transition peacefully at the age of 60 on April 25, 2012 at 1:05p.m. at the Bronson Methodist Hospital with his family and his deacon brothers at his side. Rick, the oldest of five siblings, was born on December 20, 1951 to the union of Glinda and William Holmes in Chicago, IL. Rick, who had a strong work ethic, started working at the age of 5 with his maternal uncles at the family business, Robinson Dairy Products. At the age of 15, he began working at his paternal Uncle Al’s business, Mac Foods, as a grocery clerk and was later trained as a butcher. He graduated from Harlan High School in 1970. At the urging of his Uncle Veodis, Rick enlisted in the Army in 1971 where he was trained to be a meat inspector. After receiving his discharge from the Army, he began working at the U.S.D.A. until he retired on June 2, 2010 after 37 years. While at the U.S.D.A., Rick received a number of awards for outstanding achievement and for providing a high quality of service. Rick married the love of his life, Gwendolyn Cotton, on August 17, 1974 and shortly thereafter they moved to Kalamazoo, MI where Rick joined and was baptized at Galilee Missionary Baptist Church under the leadership of Pastor J. Louis Felton. While at Galilee, he became a member of the Angelic Choir. He served as president of the choir and also served as a member of the Trustee Board until he left to join First United Baptist Church under the leadership of Pastor Lenzy E. Bell. While at First United, Rick became an ordained Deacon. He served as chairman of the Deacon’s Board for a number of years. He was outgoing and loved to travel and teaching the Word as well as talking about the Word of God. He taught Sunday School, served as the moderator for business meetings and co-leader of the Men’s Fellowship Ministry. He also received special recognition from the Senior Usher Board and visited the sick and shut-in. He was always willing to serve wherever he was needed. He truly loved his church and his pastor. Rick’s mother, Glinda Holmes-Stovall, father, William Holmes, brother, Darryl Holmes, maternal grandparents, Velma and Milton Robinson, paternal grandparents, Rosetta and William H. Johnson, stepbrother, William Stovall, Jr., and great nephew, Ricardo N. Frazier, Jr., have all preceded him in death. Rick also shared a special bond with his mother-in-law, Martha Ann Cotton, who recently preceded him in death. Rick leaves to cherish his memories his lovely and devoted wife, Gwen; daughter, Nikia (Rashann) Coleman of Winston-Salem, NC; son, Darryl; two grandsons: Bryce and Rashann; two granddaughters: Aislynn and Amaya; step-father: William Stovall; two sisters: Phyllis Holmes-Davis and Glinda (Phil) Holmes-Hayes; and one brother: William (Beverly) Holmes, all of Chicago; five sisters-in-law: Georgia Cotton of Lansing, IL, Burnie Tabb and Sylvia Cotton of Kalamazoo, MI, Dorothy Hersey of Lewisville, TX, and Rose Mary (Roosevelt) Cotton-Brown of San Diego, CA; three brothers-in-law: James (Marilyn) Cotton of Alsip, IL, Greg (Lillie) Cotton of Kalamazoo, MI, and Lamont Cotton of Houston, TX; four uncles: Roy Robinson, Donald (Gertrude) Robinson, Ronald Robinson, and Everett Robinson and one very special aunt: Irma Johnson-Whitehead, all of Chicago; and a very special friend: Randy Sweet of Kalamazoo, MI; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Deacon Ricardo Holmes

December 20, 1951 - April 25, 2012