Fred was born in Dallas County, Texas December 6th, 1936. He was the son of Cecil Clifford Holmes & Ollie Lucille Holmes and one of six children; Helen Lucille Holmes, Billy Jean Holmes, Mildred Virginia Holmes, Betty Myrl Holmes, Joe Calvin Holmes, and Jimmy Dale Holmes. He was raised in Cleburne Texas and worked as a dishwasher at a café on Henderson street, he also worked as a paperboy for the Cleburne Times, and at the Craighead Service Station on Henderson & Brazos, as well as LAM Music Company while going to school in Cleburne. Fred left school in 1954 and joined the Air Force, he enlisted February 3, 1954 and married Rosa the love of his life on July 23, 1954 in Denver Colorado. They had six children; Gary Leon Homes, Connie Rose Holmes, Johnny Lee Holmes, Cherril Ann Holmes, Barbara Gail Holmes and Larry Don Holmes who passed on June 9th 1958. Fred's wife Rosa passed on August 6th, 2017 in Sacramento California with Fred by her side.

Fred's family had lived in Denver, Colorado, where he was stationed at Lowry AFB and Albuquerque, New Mexico Sandia AFB, now known as Kirtland AFB where he was trained in a classified program at the time on maintaining and the assembly of atomic weapons and later nuclear weapons. He was also at Shreveport, Louisiana stationed at Barksdale AFB and Okinawa; the family did not go to Okinawa because Larry had passed away. Fred returned to the states and went to White Settlement, Texas stationed at Carswell AFB then Wichita Falls, Texas stationed at Sheppard AFB where he opened SAC nuclear weapons storage area. He was also in Fairbanks, Alaska stationed at Eielson AFB, and drove the Alaska Highway when departing back to Wichita Falls again, and then back to Albuquerque once more. He was also at Rimini, Italy stationed at a NATO air base. He went to Grand Forks AFB and Minot AFB in North Dakota then Lompoc, California stationed at Vandenberg AFB, as well as Guam, stationed at Andersen AFB, the family stayed in Lompoc during a 15 month tour. Fred returned to Vandenberg after his tour and retired from the Air Force in October 1981 as Chief Master Sergeant which was the highest enlisted rank. Fred was in for 27 years, 7 months, and 28 days.

Fred has received various medals and decorations over the duration of his service such as the Meritorious Service Medal, Joint Service Commendation Medal, Air Force Commendation Medal, Small Arms Expert Marksmanship ribbon, USAF Noncommissioned Officer Academy Graduate Ribbon, Good Conduct Medal (Army), Air Force good conduct Medal with 6 oak leaf clusters, National Defense Service Medal, Air Force Outstanding Unit Award, and Master Missileman Badge. He also received Bachelor of Science Business Management from University of La Verne, California among other accomplishments.

After retirement from the Air Force Fred worked for Martin Marietta later know as Lockheed Martin for 18 years and retired. Fred then worked as a Background Investigator for the Lompoc Police Department as a volunteer starting in 1999.

Fred joined the Masons in 1967, at Mesa Lodge #68 in Albuquerque New Mexico. Scottish Rite Santa Fe, New Mexico 1967. Al Maliakah Shriners 1978. Performed as Peanut the Clown starting in 1978. Life Member of Lompoc Lodge #262, Santa Barbara Scottish Rite and Al Maliakah Shriners.

Fred will truly be missed by all that were lucky to have known him. He stood tall in life and we all marveled at his many accomplishments. So many great things from such a humble beginning. He always had kind words for all and an awesome laugh that made others smile and laugh with him.

A celebration of life will be held July 24, 2021, at 11 am at Starbuck Chapel, Lompoc, CA.

Flowers, memorials, contributions should be made to the Lompoc Shrine Club, Lompoc CA.