Charles Robert Holman

Charles Robert Holman, loving husband, father and grandfather, passed away at the age of 74 at his home in Bakersfield, CA on September 25, 2014. He was surrounded by his family as he peacefully passed on to be with his Lord and Savior.

Born on February 18, 1940 to Charles Robert Holman and Merle Cheeves in Gavin, Oklahoma, Charlie moved to Bakersfield with his family as an infant where he would spend the rest of his life. He graduated from East Bakersfield High School in 1957.

Charlie's work ethic was nothing short of phenomenal. As young as eight years old he sought odd jobs in the neighborhood, often pushing his lawnmower as he looked for work. By the age of 14, he was working in a grocery store. Charlie met Ralph Niblett at the age of 18, who would go on to be his best friend and lifelong business partner. Together they built an incredible network of businesses. A lifetime of trust, loyalty, integrity, and most of all, hard work yielded eight grocery stores, countless investments, and untold goodwill. Charlie and Ralph made many great friends along the way, notably, Tom Maples, Mike Shinault, Steve Coleman, and Doug Murray.

In 1977, Charlie married Gwendolyn Moss, the love of his life. They united their two families. Charlie had three daughters, Lynnette, Tracy, and Karen Holman. Gwen had two children, Cindy and Charley Fisher. Charlie and Gwen were always together, either working at the stores, at home, or camping, fishing, and shooting craps with Ralph, and his wife, Sharon in Las Vegas.

Charlie's favorite place to spend time with his family was at Bass Lake. He spent many summers on the lake teaching kids to water ski, letting them drive the boat, and then ending the day with his famous bbq tri-tip for dinner. He loved watching football and his favorite team was the Denver Broncos. As a grandpa, he attended football and basketball games, dance and piano recitals, grandparents' day at school and horseback riding lessons.

Charlie was a man of integrity, stability and strength. He was the one that many went to in time of need, friends as well as family. He will always be remembered with great love and respect.

Charlie is predeceased by his mother Merle Arendell, his father Charles Holman, his loving step-father Sherman Rollnick, his sisters Gwen Ricks and Pat Walston, his nephew Steven Cash, his step-daughter Cindy Fisher and his grandson Andrew Lonsinger. He is survived by his wife, Gwen, his three daughters and sons in law, Lynnette and Don Lonsinger, Tracy and Paul White, Karen and Randy Rowles, step-son Charley Fisher, his nine grandchildren, Michael, Matthew and Alexandra Lonsinger, Nathan, Hannah, Emily and Harrison White, Bennett and Alistair Rowles, the mother of his three daughters Beverly Potter, his sister Rozanne Kuechel and her daughters and sons in law, Angela and Joel Young, Tamara and Jr. Hernandez, and children, Jared, Jason, Jaxson and Jynna Young, Morgan and Jacob Hernandez, nieces Jennifer Cook and her sons, Ryan and Chad, Nancy and her husband Rick Porter and Children Grant and Madison, Debbie Cash and son Steven Cash, and nephews Mark Cash and Shawn Moss, and friend, Dianne Reaves.

Services will be held at Hillcrest Memorial on Saturday, October 4th, 9101 Kern Canyon Road in Bakersfield. Viewing will take place in the chapel from 12:00-2:00. The service will begin at 2:00 with a reception immediately following.