Douglas Holmes

Douglas DeWitt Holmes (1928 – 2017) January 3, 1928 – January 14, 2017 Douglas DeWitt Holmes, age 89, of Pelham, Alabama, passed away Saturday afternoon, January 14, 2017. He was born to Calvin Sr. and Emily Holmes on January 3, 1928 in Birmingham, Alabama. After graduating from Ensley High School, he followed his brother Calvin Jr. into the U.S. Navy. Doug's electronics training in the Navy spurred his interest in technology, so after leaving the Navy he enrolled at Auburn University to study electrical engineering. Upon graduation, he joined Alabama Power Company as an electrical engineer where he worked for 37 years, the last years as assistant manager of the Transmission/Power Delivery Department. Just before leaving for Auburn, he met Peggy Lacey from Fairfield, Alabama. Doug and Peggy were married February 1, 1952 and spent 64 wonderful years together. The couple had three boys: Ronnie, Ken, and Don. Doug was a long-time, active leader of the Oak Hills Civitan Club and served as the finance chairman of the Fairfield United Methodist Church for many years. After moving to Pelham, Doug and Peggy joined New Hope Presbyterian Church. Doug was the consummate engineer in all things. When the boys asked for a tree house, he designed and built a tree fort on ten-foot stilts around the biggest tree in the backyard. As an incurable optimist, one of his favorite sayings was “You can do anything you want to do, if you put your mind to it.” Doug was a selfless individual, always concerned with what he could do for his wife, sons, and other family members. Doug is survived by his wife, Peggy Lacey Holmes; his three sons, Ronald DeWitt Holmes, James Kenneth Holmes (Tonya), Donald Steven Holmes (Carolyn); two grandchildren, Storm Alexander Holmes and Ansley Elizabeth Holmes; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins. Doug was preceded in death by his parents and his brother Calvin Jr. The family would like to thank the staff of South Haven Health & Rehabilitation in Hoover for their loving care of Doug during his recent stay. We would also like to show our appreciation to Comfort Care Hospice for their kindness during his last days. Also, we thank Pastor Donny Acton for his many home visits over the years. A visitation will be held on Friday, January 20, 2017, at Johns-Ridout's Elmwood Chapel from 9:30 to 11:00am, followed by a graveside service at 11:00am in Elmwood Cemetery, with Pastor Donny Acton officiating.