David Lee Holmes, 78, passed away December 5, 2025, at Cox Medical Center South in Springfield, MO, following a seven-year battle with cancer.  David was born July 19, 1947, in Pauls Valley, OK, to Thomas Claude Holmes and Oma Pearl Lovelace Holmes. He was the twelfth of thirteen children.

He spent his youth in several states, including Oklahoma, Texas, Arizona, and Missouri. It was in Missouri that he met the love of his life, Carolyn Leeper, whom he married December 27, 1969, in Ava, MO.

In 1968, David joined the Navy and proudly served aboard the aircraft carrier USS John F. Kennedy as an air traffic controller. After his marriage, he attended the Navy Air Traffic Control School in Brunswick, GA, then was assigned to Naval Air Station Miramar—then the home of Top Gun and the busiest control tower in the country.

After completing military service, David and Carolyn returned to Missouri, living first in Ava and then in and around Springfield. In 2001, they settled in Fordland, where David enjoyed country living and spent the remainder of his life.

David worked for many years raising and milking cattle before becoming a financial analyst at Springfield Zenith. He later earned an MBA from Southwest Missouri State University, became a CPA, and co-founded an accounting firm, Tax Pros, Inc. (now Entrust CPAs and Advisors). He enjoyed serving clients until health issues led to his retirement in 2024.

David is survived by his wife, Carolyn, to whom he was married for 56 years; their three wonderful children, Amanda Wiley (Todd), Christine Gonzalez (Misael), and Adam; and their six adored grandchildren, Hunter Wiley, Mia Seely (Cooper), Brianna Gonzalez, Klarissa Gonzalez, Isaac Gonzalez, and Eva Miller-Holmes. He is also survived by his brother, Jim, and many extended family members and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents and eleven of his siblings.

David was a man of integrity, honesty, generosity, and kindness. He was deeply loved and respected by all who knew him. In the late 1990’s, he rededicated his life to God and was rebaptized. He spent his life working hard, caring for his family, and living out the values of faith and devotion to those he loved.

Services will be held at Greenlawn Funeral Home East, 3540 E. Seminole, in Springfield,  on Saturday, December 13.  Visitation will be at 10 a.m., followed by the service at 11 a.m., with Wayne Holmes officiating.  Burial will be at a later date at Missouri Veterans Cemetery in Springfield.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the National Kidney Foundation, Attn. Gift Processing, 30 East 33rd Street, New York, NY 10016, in memory of David Holmes and Steven Holmes.

David’s passing leaves a hole in our hearts, but by faith and God’s grace, we will see him again.

Care has been entrusted to Greenlawn Funeral Home East.