James Francis Holmes

James Francis Holmes passed away peacefully at his home at the age of 82 on March 19th, 2023. Born on March 4th, 1941, in New Orleans, “Jimmy,” is survived by his loving wife of 59 years, Marcelle Júlie LeJeune Holmes, his five children, James A. Holmes (Ashley), Christopher Alfred LeJeune Holmes, David LeJeune Holmes, Kathleen Walet Holmes Berry (Charles) and Marguerite Júlie Holmes Crook (Brad), his eight grandchildren, Meghan Ashley Holmes Robinson (JT), Lauren Marrero Holmes, Marcelle Elizabeth Holmes, James Walter Holmes, Shelby Louise Holmes, Zoë Melissa Berry, Charlotte Holmes Berry, Marguerite Grace Berry and one great-grandchild, Júlie Fay Robinson. He is also survived by his three siblings, Ann Marie Holmes Hartman, John Thomas Holmes, Ruth Holmes Foley and 20 nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Dr. John Aristide Holmes and Ruth Walet Holmes.

He attended grammar school at Sam Barthe School for Boys and graduated from Jesuit High School in New Orleans in 1959. He attended the University of Notre Dame in South Bend, Indiana, Class of 1963, and went on to Tulane University Law School, Class of 1966. He practiced law at Christovich & Kearney, LLP from 1966 until 2010, representing some of the nation’s largest insurance companies, construction companies, and oilfield service companies in civil litigation throughout the state of Louisiana. Upon his retirement from litigation, he served as in-house counsel for Blanchard & Co. from 2010-2018.

He was a longtime parishioner of St. Francis Xavier where he attended Mass daily, served as a eucharistic minister, and spent countless hours in the adoration chapel. He was a former President of the New Orleans Chapter of the Serra Club, and a regular attendee at Manresa retreats for over 60 years. He particularly cherished the weekends at Manresa when he brought his good friend Pat Browne. He also served on the Board of Directors of Dixie Brewing Company, Inc. with his father, and was a former President of both the Louisiana Association of Defense Counsel, and the New Orleans Association of Defense Counsel.

Jimmy had a life-long passion for the game of golf, playing at Metairie and New Orleans Country Clubs with his brother, a multitude of friends, sons, and daughters. He and his family spent weekends and summers in Pearlington, Mississippi, raising animals, having barbecues, and skiing and fishing in the Pearl River and Mississippi marsh. Jimmy also loved fishing and proved himself as a bonafide fisherman in the Dularge, LA, area, serving as “Sheik” of the Lower Terrebonne Hunting and Fishing Society. Whenever you were with him, you knew you were going to have a great time. There was never a better husband, father, or friend, who bolstered not only himself, but all those around him, with his devoted and unshakable Catholic faith. He will be missed greatly, but never forgotten, and his friends and family take great comfort in knowing Jimmy is now with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

A Catholic mass and visitation will be held at St. Francis Xavier Church, 444 Metairie Road, Metairie, LA 70005 on Monday, March 27th, 2023. Visitation begins at 9:00am until mass time at 11:00am. Burial to follow at Metairie Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations to your favorite charity are preferred.