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

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

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.

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!

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..........

http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r...odrs_3-3-4.jpg

http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r...dNSNats_18.jpg

Rest in peace Mr. Holmes.....

Re: Lost another racer
 

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


Ward Family Tom, Sean and Tommy

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

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

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

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

Jim Wick passed away Monday 1/12
 

Longtime Wisconsin Mopar racer, Jim Wick, passed away Monday evening. Jim was an original Hurst Hemi 1968 Baracuda owner, Pro Stock Pioneer and founder of the MPSA. Feel free to visit Jims Car Shop.com to view his obituary.

Re: Lost another racer
 

Sad news! I think most everyone if not everyone in Div.3 new & liked Don

Re: Lost another racer
 

To one of the really fast and great Pontiac racers in Stock. God Speed and rest easy....

Re: Lost another racer
 

Great racer but even a greater person. I am thankful that Don was a close friend of mine, he will be missed by all. I could never thank him enough for all his help, yes he did know more than just Pontiacs .. Rest in peace my friend and thanks for all the wonderful memories ....

Re: Lost another racer
 

I can't thank you guys enough for all your support in my families time of grief. Everybody should know I feel so blessed to have had him as a father, a mentor, and a friend. It is wonderful to read that others feel the same way.

I will always remember how close the racing community is, even across the country. I could go on for hours of all the brilliant, funny stories of how Don had touched everbody's life in some fashion, from helping out a unknown racer at the track, to just hanging around and shooting the breeze with his outlandish ideas. Just keep him in your thoughts and his memory will live on.

...and for those J & K /SA racers out there, the end of one man's racing career is the resurrection of another. I will make a few passes this year. When you see a small cloud of dust out the window on the big end, you will know that Don has made it to his final resting place.

R.I.P dad

God bless you all,
The Holmes' family