Claude D. Holmes, Jr, Md (Col, Usa; Ret)

Col. Claude Duval Holmes, Jr., M.D., passed away on Thursday, December 1, 2005, at Winter Park Memorial Hospital. He had been residing at the Winter Park Towers Presbyterian Retirement Village. Dr. Holmes is survived by his three daughters, Nancy Darby of Berkeley Heights, NJ; Janet Evans of Tallahassee, FL; and Carolyn Holmes of Winter Park, FL; eight grandchildren and one great grandson; and his brother John L. Holmes of Lake Mary, FL.
Claude was born October 3, 1920, in Washington, D.C. Being an "Army brat," he was raised around the world graduating from high school in the Philippines. He received his undergraduate and medical degrees from Indiana University. He was a member of Sigma Nu fraternity, Phi Chi medical fraternity, Kiwanis, and was a Mason.
In 1940, Claude enlisted in the Army and served on active duty and in the Reserves attaining the rank of Colonel and was Commander of the 324th General Hospital Unit. He retired from the Army in 1980.
Claude married Betty Jean Rowe Holmes in 1943. In 1951 they moved to Miami with their three girls, and he began a 40-year career as an orthopedic surgeon. He was on the faculty at the University of Miami School of Medicine for many years and served as an orthopedic consultant for Children's Medical Services for 35 years. Dr. Holmes served on the Board of Governors at South Miami Hospital and served as CEO. He practiced at Miami Children's Hospital, Baptist Hospital and Jackson Memorial Hospital.
While living in Miami, Claude was active in the First Presbyterian Church of Coral Gables, the Miami Ham Radio Club (broadcasting during many hurricanes), and the local and state medical associations. He served as President of the Florida Orthopedic Society and was involved in local, civic, and social organizations. In 1991, Claude and his wife moved to Ocala, FL, for an active retirement where he was an elder at the Fort King Presbyterian Church, a member of the Ham Radio Club, Kiwanis, the Retired Officers Association and continued to pursue his love of gardening. In 2000, Claude and Betty made their final retirement move to the Winter Park Towers where he remained active visiting his daughters and participating in social outings.
Family and friends are invited to visit Sunday, December 4, 2005, from 6 to 8 PM at Newcomer Family Funeral Home at 895 Goldenrod Road, Winter Park, FL. A memorial service in celebration of Claude's life will be held at 9:30 AM on Monday, December 5, 2005, at the First Presbyterian Church of Winter Park at 400 South Lakemont Avenue. Internment will be at the Florida National Cemetery in Bushnell, FL. where his wife, Betty, son John and daughter Patty are already interred.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in memoriam to the National Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, 6931 Arlington Road, Bethesda, Maryland 20814.