Dad Gummit!
A smile became your signature;
A patent declaration;
That cautious laugh and lofted brow
Would greet most situations.
Generations; layered tendrils;
A Holmes/McLaughlin stew;
And tossing in a pinch of salt
So we’d know it was you.
Boundless youth at eighty-eight,
Then here came eighty-nine.
A legacy we hoped that you’d
Escape, and not enshrine.
But, halted possibilities
That shadow us instead;
Make having, now, to say “Goodbye”,
Tougher than Ol’ Billy Ned.
William Ned Holmes
November 9, 1918 – January 4, 2008








I'm sorry for your loss, Pinhole. It's really tough to lose the good ones, and yet they leave so much good behind,
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Thanks, Montucky. He'll definitely be missed.
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My sympathy to you for your loss, Pinhole. This is a wonderful tribute.
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Thanks, PC. I was able to help celebrate, in one form or another, at his older siblings 90th birthdays (all still living); so I thought since he didn't quite make it to his, I ought to do a little something.
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You have my sympathy at your loss and my understanding of how special guys like Ned are to us individually and to our society.
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Thanks, FF&F. It's odd that you should refer to him as 'Ned'. The whole family called him that, but I believe to most of his friends and former co-workers he was known as 'Bill'.
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My sympathies for your loss, Pinhole. It's a beautiful tribute to him in classic Pinholian style.
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Thanks, Wolf. It certainly wasn't my best, but I felt that I should do something.
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A very nice tribute Pin....I know he will be missed by those who held him dear.
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Thank you, Ms. Zola, yes he will.
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I know it's been said already, but I'm truly sorry for your loss.
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Thanks, WV. I appreciate the sentiment.
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