Charles Edward Holmes, Sr.

A Life Worth Celebrating

Charles Edward Thomas Holmes, Sr., was born on December 6, 1937 in North Little Rock, Arkansas to William Thomas and Irene S. Holmes Jackio.  He was the oldest of six children born to the union. He was preceded in death by his parents, one brother, Robert Jackio, Jr, and one sister, Yvonne Stewart.  Charles moved to Kansas City, Kansas with his close cousins at the age of 8.  He attended Dunbar North and Dunbar South Elementary School.  He graduated from Northeast Junior High School, and graduated from Sumner High School in the class of 1956.  While at Sumner, he was an excellent basketball and football player.  He has attended all of the 1956 class reunions.  He was active as the class treasurer.  After high school, he enlisted with the United States Marine Corps in 1956.  He was stationed at Camp Pendleton in California, traveled overseas and was later stationed at Camp Lejeune in North Carolina.

He married Frances Louiese Norwood on December 22, 1957.  To this union, two children were born. Charles E. Holmes, Jr. and Carol Frances Holmes.

Charles has worked many jobs to provide for his family starting at Allen’s Drive-in, Rail Sales Grocery Store, The Golden OX, Swifts Packing House, Ford Motor Company, and finally at General Motors Fairfax Plant where he retired after 36 years of service.  At General Motors, he was a member of the local UAW 31 Union where he earned many awards.

Charles accepted Christ and was baptized at Stranger’s Rest Baptist Church.  He was a previous member of Bethel AME Church and later became a faithful member of Centennial United Methodist Church.  While at Centennial, he was a member of the United Methodist Men and the Cora Moore Sunday School Class.

Charles had many hobbies, including fishing, hunting and going on cruises. He was a member of the KAN-MO line dippers fishing club.  He loved cutting grass and was an avid sports fan for the KU basketball team and the Kansas City Chiefs. He also loved being on Facebook and talking on the phone daily. “Uncle Charles” as known to many, looked forward to messing with family members and his friends through his Facebook or instant messenger or a phone call daily. 

He leaves to cherish his memory: his wife of 60 years, Frances; one son, Charles E. Holmes, Jr. (Gina) of Olathe, Kansas; one daughter, Carol F. Boswell (Steve) of Piper, Kansas; one sister, Mary Young of Nevada;  two brothers, Chuck Jackio, (Faye Sauls) of California; Irving “Pete” Jackio (Vickie) of Idaho; 5 grandchildren, Ryan M. Holmes (Molly), Brittany L. Boswell, Brandon T. Holmes; Justin K. Holmes (Katie); and Marla R. Garrett (James, Jr.) and 2 great-granddaughters.  He also leaves a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, 4 brothers-in-law and 5 sisters-in- law and many friends that he loved.

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