Keith James Holmes

Keith James Holmes passed away on Thursday, April 9th at Arbor Rose Hospice in Mesa, AZ. He was born on October 3, 1935 in Mondovi, WI to James and Dorothy (Butler) Holmes. Keith grew up in Alma, WI and graduated from Alma High School in 1953. After high school he attended the University Of WI - Eau Claire. He joined the Wisconsin National Guard, 32nd Division Admin Co., in 1953 and proudly served for 23 years. He was on active duty during the Berlin Crisis in 1961 and was stationed at Fort Lewis in Washington. He retired in 1976 with the rank of Warrant Officer 2nd class.. He worked for the Buffalo County Highway Department 1 year and in 1955 he moved to Waukesha, WI where he joined the.Wisconsin Telephone Co. In 1978 he moved to Fairfax,Virginia to work for AT&T in Washington, D.C. where he managed AT&T's relationship with the Federal Aviation Administration throughout the U.S. He retired in 1988 after 34 years with Wisconsin Telephone Co. and AT&T.. He received many awards during his years with AT&T for excellent service. . After retirement he moved to Plymouth, MN where he worked as a consultant for Homestyle Publications for four years. In 1989 he purchased a home in Mesa, AZ. to enjoy the beautiful sunshine during the winter, and a residence in Buffalo City to enjoy the beautiful summers in WI. Keith married Shirley Ristow in 1954 in Alma, WI. They have been happily married for 61 years. Keith was a member of Our Saviors Lutheran Church in Mesa, AZ, an associate member of St. John's Lutheran Church in Alma, WI, a member of the American Legion Post 224 in Alma, a member of the Buckhorn Elks in Mesa and also a member of the Red Arrow Club of Milwaukee. He enjoyed fishing, hunting and bowling, and having fires in his outdoor fireplace surrounded by his friends, but his biggest love was traveling. He traveled to many foreign countries and loved going on cruises, His favorite cruise was on the Windsong sailboat sailing around the Society Islands. He also always looked forward to joining his army buddies for a week at Ft. McCoy for the Old Timers Club each summer. Keith was preceded in death by his parents, Jim & Dorothy (Butler) Holmes, sister, Ardythe Lorentz, brother -in-law Duane Lorentz and infant son Neil Holmes. Keith is survived by his wife, Shirley, his son Jeffery (Therese) of Lake Forest, IL, his daughter Roxane (Charles) Walker of Attalla, AL, his sister, Bonnie Holmes of Marshfield, WI, grandchildren Brian Holmes and David Holmes, of Chicago, IL., Cindy Walker of Collinsville AL. Stephen Walker, Marisa Walker and Mark Walker of Attalla, AL. and Michelle Evans of Waco, TX. great grandchildren Kaylee Evans and Ashlynn Evans of Waco, TX, Braden Jarrell and Alexis Reeves of Collinsville, AL. A memorial gathering will be at St. John Lutheran Church in Alma on Saturday, April 25 at 9:00 AM with a service at 11:00AM. Burial will follow at the Nelson Cemetery. Talbot Family Funeral Homes of Alma is assisting the family with arrangements. Memories and condolences may be shared with the family at www.talbotfuneralhomes.com.