Larry Holmes

LARRY E. HOLMES

Larry Edwin Holmes, age 69 of Kahoka, Missouri passed away Saturday, November 29, 2014 at the Clark County Nursing Home after a long fought battle with cancer.


He was born on March 31, 1945 in Winchester, Missouri to Harold and Wilhelmine (Willie) Bick Holmes. He married Nancie McBride Bevans in Kahoka, Missouri on February 15, 1986, at the Kahoka Christian Church.

Survivors include his wife Nancie, of Kahoka: his sister Joyce (Michael) Meinhardt of Lansing, Kansas: his mother-in-law Bertha McBride of Farmington, Iowa: children Teresa (Jim) Norton, Mike (Kari) Bevans, John (Melissa) Bevans, a bonus child Curtis (Marlena) Mack all of Kahoka, MO: grandchildren; Melissa (Michael) Campbell, Justin Florea, Grant and Garrett Bevans, Chase, Chandler and Carissa Bevans, Camron and Conner Mack, all of Kahoka and Aleta Florea of Hamilton, Illinois: great grandchildren; Rylea and Amarah Lewis, Garrison and Kynzler Campbell, all of Kahoka, and Keagan Bell of Hamilton; two aunts, Neta Mae Holmes of Jefferson City, Missouri and Blanche Holmes of Keokuk, Iowa; brothers-in-law and sister-in-law, Ronald DeWitt of Mount Pleasant, Iowa, and Clair (Marlene) McBride of Farmington, Iowa; as well as many nieces, nephews and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his parents; father-in-law, Clair McBride; his daughter, Terri Beth Holmes; great-grandson Kyler Campbell; sister in infancy, Linda; brother, Donald Holmes; and sister-in-law Betty Jean (Jeannie) DeWitt.

Larry was a 1963 graduate of Kahoka High School and attended Northeast Missouri State Teacher's College.

He was a member of the Clark County/Kahoka Fire Department for over forty years until ill health made him give it up. He served in the Army Reserves for six years as a heavy equipment operator.

Larry helped his dad blade snow for the Clark County schools and other Kahoka businesses, churches, and private residents from 1958 to 2000. Over the years he worked for the Army Ammunition Plant, Wiss and Wiss Implement, Trump Farms, Redding Seed and Supply, Ramsey's Sawmill and Trump Trucks. He was a life time farmer in Clark County doing custom combining and hay-baling for various farmers. From a young age he helped his dad do Allis Chalmers tractor repair in their shop. At the age of twelve, his dad had him take apart an Allis Chalmers WD tractor. Once he had it apart, his dad told him to put it back together. He did. And it ran!

He loved working on antique tractors and classic cars, helping to preserve the past for future generations to enjoy. His knowledge of antique tractors and classic cars was extensive and the information he was able to share with others will be missed.
He was a founding member of the Clark County 2-Cylinder Club, the Missouri Chapter of the International Harvester Club, the Minneapolis and Moline Corresponder Club, receiving the Volunteer of Year Award in 2010 from the Allis Connection Club, and the Missouri Allis Chalmers Chapter. He served on the board of directors at the Western Illinois Threshers for many years, and the Mount Pleasant Old Threshers, receiving the volunteer of the year award in 2012. Larry was involved in drag racing in Kahoka in the 1960's and he won the first Demolition Derby at the Clark County Fair.

He was proud of his children and grandchildren and loved them very much. He also enjoyed spending time and reminiscing with his antique tractor friends.

Friends called at Wilson Funeral Home after noon on Sunday with family receiving friends Sunday from 3-5 p.m.

A Memorial Service was held Monday, December 1, 2014 at 1 p.m. at Wilson Funeral Home with Rev. Dixie Laube officiating.

Inurnment was in the Kahoka Cemetery.

Memorials are suggested to the Clark Co. Local Cancer Fund.

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