Charles Ward Holmes

Charles (Chuck) Ward Holmes, aged 81, passed away on October 4, 2018 in Tallahassee, Florida with his family by his side. Chuck had been a resident of the Westminster Oaks retirement community, Tallahassee, Florida for the past three years.

Chuck was born in Detroit, Michigan on September 17, 1937. In 1959 he received a Bachelor’s degree in science from St. Joseph’s College, Rensselaer, Indiana. In 1963 Chuck was awarded a Doctor of Philosophy degree in Geology from Florida State University. His innovative research for his dissertation led to a better understanding of the geology of the area between Patagonia and the Palmer Peninsula, Antarctica. After a stint as an Assistant Professor of Geology at Colgate University, Hamilton, New York, he joined the U.S. Geological Survey, where he directed studies in the Gulf of Mexico, the Caribbean sea, Florida Bay, and Denver, Colorado. He loved science and his enthusiasm rubbed off on anyone who talked with him about it.

After working in Corpus Christi, Texas and Denver, Colorado, Chuck transferred to the U.S. Geological Survey office in St. Petersburg, Florida in 1995 where he supported the Florida Restoration Program. He retired in October 2007 after forty years with the U.S. Geological Survey. In November 2015 he joined the Westminster Oaks retirement community and continued his second love of training Golden Retrievers in obedience and agility, which he had pursued for the past 30 years. He also participated in the Tallahassee Memorial Animal Therapy Program.

Chuck taught religion at the Catholic churches that he and his wife were members of throughout their lives.

Chuck was known as Skip in his younger days and “Mr. Skippy”, as he was affectionately known to his grandchildren, was unfailingly generous with his time and money in supporting his children’s and grandchildren’s school and sports activities and other causes he believed in. Chuck never met a stranger and made friends everywhere he went.

Chuck is survived by his wife, Barbara Holmes of Tallahassee, Florida; a daughter Beth Huettel (Markus Huettel) of Tallahassee, Florida; a son Timothy Holmes (Enda McCarty) of Eugene, Oregon; four grandchildren Katie Huettel, Tia Huettel, Anna Pierce and Caleb Pierce; a brother Howard G. Holmes II (Marti Holmes); a nephew, Chip Holmes; three nieces, Cheryl Holmes, Julie Gnatek and Cindy Jewett; and Max, his Golden Retriever.

Chuck was proceeded in death by his parents Howard and Marjorie Holmes.

A Celebration of Life will be held at The Frances Chapel at the Westminster Oaks retirement community on Monday, October 8th, 2018 at

11:00 am, 4449 Meandering Way, Tallahassee, Florida 32308.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Tallahassee Memorial Animal Therapy Program.

Neptune Society is in charge of his arrangements.