Gerald Allan Holmes

 May 23, 1936 to July 21, 2024

 Gerald “Allan” Holmes cared deeply about family, and it showed in everything he did. 

 Born at home in Blackwater, Tennessee to Olmae and John “Wilbur” Holmes, Allan grew up in a hardworking community with his older brother Bill as early mentor and closest friend. The family later moved to a small house with a large yard and outdoor plumbing in Chester Illinois, where entertainment became a ten cent movie with nickel popcorn on Saturdays. With his dad working as a shoe leather cutter there wasn’t an abundance of money around, but the boys made their own fun with outdoor games and a BB gun. 

 Allan often recounted that one day in his senior year of high school the principal asked him if he and one of his buddies would like to join him on a day trip to a college. By the time they came back, the principal had enrolled them in college at University of Illinois at Champaign Urbana, and gotten them jobs on campus and a place to live, a pivotal moment in his young life. It is rumored that Allan put himself through college playing black jack, pool and ping pong, a tale yet to be disputed based on his continuing winning streak.

 After college, Allan married and moved to California with his wife Janine, starting a family with the birth of son Jeff, followed a few years later by daughter Traci. Allan was initially an elementary school teacher, moving later to high school, where he taught topics ranging from PE to Drivers Ed, typing and vocational education career guidance. The family moved from Pomona, to Upland, to Arroyo Grande where Allan ultimately secured a position as head of research at Cal Poly University. 

 Over the years, Allan moved throughout Southern and Northern California, recruited for various teaching and administrative positions, ultimately becoming a Director of Vocational Education for the State of California - a position he cared about deeply due to his working class roots. 

Following Arroyo Grande, the family moved to Sacramento, then to Davis, and he and Janine parted ways. 

 Allan soon met Lynda and her young daughter Sheree. He married Lynda in Sacramento in 1976, and treasured her for 48 adventurous years together. 

 During their travels, Allan and Lynda developed a keen eye for all things sparkly - including Swarovski crystal and custom jewelry. He especially loved designing beautiful pieces with Lynda. During their quest for sparkles, he and Lynda met dear friends Ben and Margareta, with whom they shared many happy times.

 Allan also developed a passion for golf, which included annual trips to St. George Utah and Bodega Bay with Allan Petersen, as well as special trips like the Robert Trent Jones Alabama Golf Trail with brother Bill, and played locally with Gaylord Moulds and others creating great stories and many happy memories. There was even a hole-in-one added to the record books.

 Allan was athletic, learning to snow ski in his 40’s. He always loved a good game of tennis, boating and waterskiing. He also enjoyed riding his motorcycle through the winding roads of the Gold Country with Jeff and Traci, but most often it was with Lynda holding on tight through the curves of the Wine Country.

 Allan loved a good family reunion, managing to rally the gang together at fun venues including Yosemite, Capitola, Hawaii, Laguna Beach, Rosarito Beach, San Luis Obispo and many happy years in Puerto Vallarta where he was on a first name basis with most of the staff.

 During retirement he and Lynda traveled the world with friends, visiting Africa, Europe, Alaska, Peru, Argentina, China, Russia, Croatia, and many, many more places on their bucket list.

 Allan was at his happiest with his family around him, hosting multi day family card tournaments of blackjack, blitz, spades, hearts, uno, skip bo, Texas hold’em, go fish and Mexican train dominoes - a love that he passed on to his grandkids, nieces, and nephews. 

 Allan's first love was his family, always one to offer a parting gesture of support and kindness.

 Allan will be deeply missed as a loving husband, father, uncle, grandfather, and dear friend. He is survived by loving wife Lynda, children Jeff, Traci, and Sheree, and grandchildren Kyra, Tucker, Kendyl, Max, Nicole and Justin, as well as nephew Mike, wife Maylene, and children Caitlyn, Lauren, and Devon, daughter-in-law Barbara and sons-in-law Steve and Jason.

 Allan, Dad and Friend, you will be missed and remembered as a kind soul, good friend, great companion, teacher and loving father. You have made a memorable imprint on each of us that we will carry in our hearts.