Thomas A. Holmes Jr.

Thomas A. Holmes, Jr., 53, of New Philadelphia, died Saturday, January 9, 2010 in Union Hospital at Dover following a courageous battle with cancer.A son of the late Thomas A. Holmes, Sr. and the late Elsie Jean (Hunter) Holmes, Tom was born May 22, 1956 in Union Hospital at Dover.Tom was a graduate of New Philadelphia High School and then continued his education at The Ohio State University graduating with a masters degree in Agriculture.He had a great appreciation for music. During his high school days, Tom was a member of the Marching Quakers Band as a tuba player. He attended many concerts over his lifetime and also had a large collection of albums, most of which he purchased on the first day of their release.Tom also had a great appreciation for wine and he enjoyed traveling, especially with his family and friends. On many occasions, Tom would take his niece, Raejean and nephew, Bill on weekend trips to various amusement parks.He is survived by his sister, Barbara (Bill) Crouch of Mequon, Wisconsin; nieces and nephews, Raejean Wyrie of Gainesville, Georgia, William Holmes of New Philadelphia, Shannon (John) Stoker, Erin (Jake) Hoffer and Allison (Andy) Voeller all of Wisconsin; great nieces and great nephews, Zac and Hunter Wyrie, Christian, Marynette and Billy Holmes, Sarah and Johnny Stoker, Michael Hoffer and Fritz and Willy Voeller and a sister-in-law, Mary Holmes of New Philadelphia.Tom was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Dennis Holmes.The family will receive friends on Friday, January 15, 2010 from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. in the Linn-Hert-Geib Funeral Home & Crematory at New Philadelphia. A memorial service celebrating Tom’s life will follow in the funeral home at 10:30 a.m. with Dr. Rev. Steven Bailey officiating. Inurnment will take place at a later date in East Avenue Cemetery at New Philadelphia. Immediately following the service, a memorial reception will be held in the Geib Family Center at New Philadelphia.