Alvin Ray Holmes

Alvin Ray (Drummond) Holmes 91 of Cooper Township passed away Saturday April 3, 2021 at home. Alvin was born April 18, 1929 to Wilbur and Leora (Smith) Drummond in Kalamazoo. They had two sons, Alvin and Alvin’s older brother Merle, that marriage ended, but Leora later met and married Lyle J. Holmes. Lyle adopted both boys and raised them and provided for them to adulthood. Alvin lived in Oakwood most of his life, and graduated from Oakwood Junior High School in May of 1945. He attended Central High School through the 11th grade. Alvin went to K.V.P. as a vacation replacement in 1947 and stayed there until his retirement in June of 1990, forty-three years. He was preceded in death by his lovely wife, Betty, his parents and grandmother, his older brother, Merle, his younger brother Harry, a sister, Lyleen and a nephew Mark Holmes, a niece Diane Sergant, brother-in-law, jack Raven and his son Rodney. Alvin married Betty Timmer in Kalamazoo on March 12, 1954, they were married 64 years before her death on November 3, 2018. Surviving are two children, Dan (Linda) Holmes, Janis Miller; sister, JoAnne Rowen; Grandchildren, Tabitha and James Craven, Sarah Bowen, Austin (Holmes) Wells and his two sisters, Kayleigh and Arianna Belen; one great-granddaughter, Bailey Wallace; step grandchildren, Gretchen and Bill Olsen, Ayden and Aria, Marissa and Rick Barnes, Ava and Urijah, Jesse and Angela Rorick, Natilie and Elijah; many nieces and nephews and cousins. Alvin’s interest included, cross country skiing, bowling, oil painting, square dancing. He was an aid bicyclist accumulating 30,000 miles over the years. After retirement, he and Betty volunteered 10 years doing Meals on Wheels and served at Parchment Food Pantry. He was a member of the Parchment United Methodist Church since 1970. Friends will be received 10 am to 11 am Friday April 9, 2021 at Parchment United Methodist Church where a memorial service will follow at 11am. Interment will be in East Cooper Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to Parchment United Methodist Church or Loaves and Fishes. Arrangements by Parchment Redmond Funeral Home. www.redmondfuneralhomes.net