Robert C. Holmes

Robert Cornelius Holmes, 76, passed away unexpectedly on March 14, 2022. He was born on March 5, 1946, in Washington, D.C., the son of Edythe and Sylvester Holmes. He was affectionately called Butch or R.C.

Robert made decisions early in life to ensure that his family was protected, respected, and stable. During segregation, while in the 5th grade, Robert dropped out of school to work with his mother to ensure that his family had adequate income and his mother was protected and respected outside of the family home. Although Robert did not attend school in a traditional setting, he was very smart and determined to continue his studies. Robert continued his education by teaching himself every subject. He was well-read, had excellent grammar and penmanship, and spoke with the highest intellect. He was always informed and, if ever in a debate about the facts, could cite relevant sources from memory.

As a young man, Robert was drafted to serve in the U.S. Marine Corps during the Vietnam War. After the war, he returned to D.C. and began his law enforcement career with the United States Federal Protective Services at the State Department. During his 39-year career, he was a highly decorated officer and assigned to provide protective services for a number of details, including several Presidential Inaugurations, Congress, diplomats, and other dignitaries; the U.S. and Cuba Immigration and Custody controversy; the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta, GA; the 2005 Hurricane Katrina natural disaster; and several tours with the U.S. Marshall Service, Secret Service, Federal Bureau of Investigations, Border Patrol, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and FEMA. In 2001, while on leave planning to retire, Robert was called back to duty after the September 11th terrorist attacks. Throughout Robert’s career, he has been called to participate in many historic and highly classified security details that to date cannot be disclosed to the general public.

Robert loved to read, write, watch action movies, grill, spend time with family, and purchase and test the latest gadgets. He always enjoyed showing his newly purchased gadgets to family members and friends. In 1984, he married his wife and best friend, Margaret. Together, they enjoyed traveling, spending quality time with their grandkids, and watching their children enjoy life.

Robert is predeceased by his parents and his sister, Barbara.

He is survived by his wife, Margaret; his sisters, Flora Haynes and Gloria Cole; his brothers, Arvell and Gerald Holmes and his wife, Janua; his sons, Anthony, Raynold, and Nicholas Holmes and his wife, Warkissie, and Darren Mathes and his wife, Charla; his daughters, Tryphenea Puryear, Mia Mathes, Robin Salter and her husband, Omar, and Edythe Holmes; his forever daughter-in-law, Danielle Holmes; his grandchildren, Ikea Holmes, Raymond Watson, Jr., Darren Mathes, Jr., Donesha Morina, Dyshawna Mathes, Patrice James, Isaiah Salter, Sidnee Salter, Silas Salter, Ma’Niyah Morina, Tiana James, Ronin Holmes, Rayonna Holmes, Christian McNeil, Tyonna Puryear, Christian Holmes, Noble Mathes, Kemiyah Holmes; and his great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.