Rodney Jim Holmes

Rodney Jim (Jimmie) Holmes, 91, affectionately known as Coach by his many former students, passed away on Sunday, March 11, 2018 in Little River. He was born in Gillette, Wyoming on August 28th, 1926 to Elizabeth (Springer) Holmes and Rodney James Holmes. He graduated from Geneseo High School in 1944 and entered the US Navy where he served for two years as a nurse. On July 27th, 1947 he married Leona Ontjes in Fredrick. Jimmie attended Hutchinson Community College and Sterling College where he earned his teaching certificate. He taught and coached in Coolidge, Bloom, Hanston, Sylvia, finally returning to Geneseo, Kansas where he retired in 1988. He belonged to the United Methodist Church and the American Legion, both at Geneseo, and was a 50-year member of the Masonic Lodge and past worthly patron of the Eastern Star of Geneseo and Lyons. Jimmie is survived by three daughters; Pam (David) Robinson of Geneseo, Melode (Steve) Huggans of Fredrick, Robyn (Darrel) Adams of Dodge City, and one son, Toby and wife Sheri of Claflin, 11 grandkids, and 16 great-grandkids. He is preceded in death by his wife of 53 years, 1 great-granddaughter, a brother Jack, and his parents. Funeral service will be 10:00 A.M., Thursday, March 15, 2018 at United Methodist Church, Geneseo with Rev. Guy Rendoff and Rev. Gene Langhofer officiating. Burial will be at Geneseo Cemetery with United States Navy Honors. Visitation will be from 2:00 to 8:00 P.M., Wednesday, March 14, 2018 at Birzer Funeral Home, Lyons with family present from 6:00 to 8:00 P.M. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to Sandstone Heights Nursing Home, Little River or Claflin Community Scholarship in care of Birzer Funeral Home, Lyons.

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