Holmes, Dan C. 


GILMER -- On August 8, 1927, Dan Carroll and Pat Harroll, twin boys, 
were born to James Henry and Leland Pratt Holmes in Gilmer, Texas. 
Dan graduated from Union Hill High School in 1945. He was salutatorian 
of his class. Dan and Pat were outstanding athletes and were dubbed, 
"The Touchdown Twins." They won the highest level of honor awarded at 
that time for six-man football. At the age of 19, Dan purchased the 
grocery store adjacent to Dean Lumber Co. In 1952, he sold the store 
and established Holmes Washateria. He also sold cars for Long Motor 
Co. That same year, he married Gaynell Barnes, and she survives him. 
Born to the union were Marcus, Pam and Karen. In 1959, Dan went to 
work at the Gilmer Post Office. He retired in 1990, continuing to 
enjoy is family, church work and woodworking. He passed away on July 
8, 2006, at his home. He is survived by his wife, Gaynell, and his 
three children, Pam and Buddy Lange and Karen and Larry Lange of 
Gilmer, and Marcus and Sylvia Holmes of Beeville; and his brother, 
Pat and Dorothy Holmes of Longview. His grandchildren are Deanna 
Garcia, Dayna Holmes, Matthew Holmes and Bryant Holmes, all of 
Beeville, Scott Betterton of Gilmer, and P.J. Lange, Kristina Lange,
 Mitch Lange, Earnie Lange and Amanda Anderson, all of Gilmer; and 
five great-grandchildren. He was a member of the First Baptist Church, 
where he served as deacon and a member of the Worker's Sunday school 
class, which he enjoyed immensely. Services for Mr. Holmes will be 
11 a.m. Tuesday, July 11, 2006, at the First Baptist Church in Gilmer, 
with the Rev. Todd Kaunitz, Roy Helpenstill and Larry Cowan officiating. 
Interment will be in Sunset Memorial Park. Arrangements are under the 
direction of Grubbs-Loyd Funeral Home in Gilmer. Visitation will be 
6-8 p.m. today, July 10, 2006, at Grubbs-Loyd Funeral Home in Gilmer.

Published in the Longview News-Journal on 7/10/2006.