Lost another racer

J Gower · 01-14-2009, 09:21 PM

Don Holmes passed away Wed. morning, I think it was said on another forum that he was 71 years old. He sure knew how to make a pontiac fly. Prayers sent out to his family. J.Gower M/S 3058

Nitro Joe Jackson · 01-14-2009, 09:41 PM

Don Holmes was a good guy, good racer and if anybody remembers he was the winner of the Quick 32 Stock Eliminator deal at the US Class Nationals

Talking to Tony D from Dayton, he said Don had a stroke over the weekend and passed away this morning.

RIP Don

ZASKO · 01-14-2009, 10:05 PM

R.I.P. Don always said, "HOW FAST DO YOU WANT ME TO GO"

God bless, you will be missed by the ZASKO crew jim and kevin, and i'm sure the heads

are bowed down in the PARSONS SHOP..

R.I.P.

james schaechter · 01-14-2009, 10:53 PM

We lost a hell of a racer. Don always was thinking about how to go quicker or faster. He was a wiley old coot. Every once in a while he would offer a suggestion or a tip.It was always a good one but he made you think about it. Sure will miss him!

thomas sheehan · 01-15-2009, 12:47 AM

Here are a few pics of Mr. Holmes that were taken by Racers Edge photography and were posted on Drag Race Central..........

Rest in peace Mr. Holmes.....

Sean Ward · 01-15-2009, 08:33 AM

Don will be missed by all .We will keep everyone in our thoughts .

Ward Family Tom, Sean and Tommy

Sal Biondo · 01-15-2009, 10:05 AM

Don was a great guy, and was always interested in helping the slower Pontiac guys get a bit faster!

Don, thanks for the help, and rest in peace!

Sal Biondo

rtaylor3410 · 01-15-2009, 11:30 AM

Here's the obituary from the Dayton Daily News that contians information regarding the services and where contributions/condolences can be made.

Don will be missed.

HOLMES, Donald F. age 71, of Englewood died on Wednesday, January 14, 2009. Born in New Jersey, he grew up in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. He attended the University of Florida in Gainesville and received his degree in mechanical engineering from Tri-State University in Angola, Indiana. He and his family moved to Englewood in 1972. Don was owner and operator of C.W. Phillips Sheet Metal Fab., Inc. on Ray Street in Dayton. He was a private pilot. An active member of the local drag racing community, he was a member of the National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) since its founding and held several national records in various stock classes. He also built racing transmissions. He was preceded in death by his parents Tom and Doris Holmes. He is survived by his wife of 42 years Barbara; daughter Carole Shelton (Brian), son Rob Holmes (Gina), and grandchildren Nick and Joey Holmes, Kara and James Fletcher, and Ashley and Dylan Shelton, all of Huber Heights; brother Tom of Providence, Rhode Island; sister Lois of Ft. Lauderdale, Florida; niece Debbie and nephews Mark, Tom, Greg, and Eric of Florida, Virginia, Rhode Island and New Jersey. A memorial service of thanksgiving for Dons life will be held on Saturday, January 17, 2009, at 2:00 p.m. at the GEORGE C. MARTIN FUNERAL HOME, "North Dayton Chapel" 5040 Frederick Pike at Needmore Road. The family will receive friends from 1:00 p.m until the time of service Saturday at the George C. Martin Funeral Home. If desired and in lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Dons memory to the Miami Valley Alzheimers Association or to the charity of ones choice. Condolences may be left for the family at www.georgecmartinfuneralhome.com

Greg Hill · 01-15-2009, 01:56 PM

For those of you who didn't know Don he was a hell of a guy. One of the smartest and most innovative racers I've ever met. We'll miss you old pal.

Greg

Jack McCarthy · 01-15-2009, 02:19 PM

don was one of my favorite people at the track... you'd have never known he was as engineer, pilot, fabricator and racing genius... it was well disguised in his non chalant demeanor.

very smart man, very fast cars...very good friend

he will be missed much... godspeed
captain & MJ

01-14-2009, 09:21 PM	#1
J Gower Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Leitchfield, Ky. Posts: 130 Likes: 19 Liked 20 Times in 8 Posts	Lost another racer Don Holmes passed away Wed. morning, I think it was said on another forum that he was 71 years old. He sure knew how to make a pontiac fly. Prayers sent out to his family. J.Gower M/S 3058

01-14-2009, 09:41 PM	#2
Nitro Joe Jackson VIP Member Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Loudonville, Ohio or where ever the Nitro Lounge is parked Posts: 2,293 Likes: 58 Liked 67 Times in 19 Posts	Re: Lost another racer Don Holmes was a good guy, good racer and if anybody remembers he was the winner of the Quick 32 Stock Eliminator deal at the US Class Nationals Talking to Tony D from Dayton, he said Don had a stroke over the weekend and passed away this morning. RIP Don __________________ Nitro Joe Jackson STK 3431 nitrojoe@neo.rr.com

01-14-2009, 10:05 PM	#3
ZASKO Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 78 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Lost another racer R.I.P. Don always said, "HOW FAST DO YOU WANT ME TO GO" God bless, you will be missed by the ZASKO crew jim and kevin, and i'm sure the heads are bowed down in the PARSONS SHOP.. R.I.P. Last edited by ZASKO; 01-14-2009 at 10:06 PM. Reason: error

01-14-2009, 10:53 PM	#4
james schaechter VIP Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Cumming GA Posts: 1,988 Likes: 1,288 Liked 1,428 Times in 296 Posts	Re: Lost another racer We lost a hell of a racer. Don always was thinking about how to go quicker or faster. He was a wiley old coot. Every once in a while he would offer a suggestion or a tip.It was always a good one but he made you think about it. Sure will miss him! __________________ James Schaechter 3163 STK

01-15-2009, 12:47 AM	#5
thomas sheehan Photographer Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 1,717 Likes: 24 Liked 75 Times in 29 Posts	Re: Lost another racer Here are a few pics of Mr. Holmes that were taken by Racers Edge photography and were posted on Drag Race Central.......... Rest in peace Mr. Holmes..... __________________ Tom Sheehan SS GT/NA 1046

01-15-2009, 08:33 AM	#6
Sean Ward Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Grand Island FL. Posts: 389 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Lost another racer Don will be missed by all .We will keep everyone in our thoughts . Ward Family Tom, Sean and Tommy __________________ Sean Ward NHRA s/ss/comp#2882 SW4 MOTORSPORTS

01-15-2009, 10:05 AM	#7
Sal Biondo Sponsor Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Queens, NY Posts: 77 Likes: 0 Liked 10 Times in 1 Post	Re: Lost another racer Don was a great guy, and was always interested in helping the slower Pontiac guys get a bit faster! Don, thanks for the help, and rest in peace! Sal Biondo __________________ Sal Biondo 1162 COMP, STOCK, SS Biondo Racing Products

01-15-2009, 11:30 AM	#8
rtaylor3410 Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 30 Likes: 68 Liked 3 Times in 1 Post	Re: Lost another racer Here's the obituary from the Dayton Daily News that contians information regarding the services and where contributions/condolences can be made. Don will be missed. HOLMES, Donald F. age 71, of Englewood died on Wednesday, January 14, 2009. Born in New Jersey, he grew up in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. He attended the University of Florida in Gainesville and received his degree in mechanical engineering from Tri-State University in Angola, Indiana. He and his family moved to Englewood in 1972. Don was owner and operator of C.W. Phillips Sheet Metal Fab., Inc. on Ray Street in Dayton. He was a private pilot. An active member of the local drag racing community, he was a member of the National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) since its founding and held several national records in various stock classes. He also built racing transmissions. He was preceded in death by his parents Tom and Doris Holmes. He is survived by his wife of 42 years Barbara; daughter Carole Shelton (Brian), son Rob Holmes (Gina), and grandchildren Nick and Joey Holmes, Kara and James Fletcher, and Ashley and Dylan Shelton, all of Huber Heights; brother Tom of Providence, Rhode Island; sister Lois of Ft. Lauderdale, Florida; niece Debbie and nephews Mark, Tom, Greg, and Eric of Florida, Virginia, Rhode Island and New Jersey. A memorial service of thanksgiving for Dons life will be held on Saturday, January 17, 2009, at 2:00 p.m. at the GEORGE C. MARTIN FUNERAL HOME, "North Dayton Chapel" 5040 Frederick Pike at Needmore Road. The family will receive friends from 1:00 p.m until the time of service Saturday at the George C. Martin Funeral Home. If desired and in lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Dons memory to the Miami Valley Alzheimers Association or to the charity of ones choice. Condolences may be left for the family at www.georgecmartinfuneralhome.com

01-15-2009, 01:56 PM	#9
Greg Hill VIP Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Louisville , KY Posts: 1,995 Likes: 68 Liked 279 Times in 68 Posts	Re: Lost another racer For those of you who didn't know Don he was a hell of a guy. One of the smartest and most innovative racers I've ever met. We'll miss you old pal. Greg __________________ Greg Hill 4171 STK

01-15-2009, 02:19 PM	#10
Jack McCarthy VIP Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: lyndon ky. ... louisville area Posts: 1,322 Likes: 29 Liked 474 Times in 117 Posts	Re: Lost another racer don was one of my favorite people at the track... you'd have never known he was as engineer, pilot, fabricator and racing genius... it was well disguised in his non chalant demeanor. very smart man, very fast cars...very good friend he will be missed much... godspeed captain & MJ __________________ Jack McCarthy 3609 STK "the Captain"