August 19, 1940 – July 17, 2026.
A lifelong lover of animals, Old Timey music, vintage cars and motorcycles, old farmsteads and NPR, George Hamilton Holmes III, aged 85 of Chelsea, MI, Hudson, MI and Cullowhee, NC, died peacefully on July 17th after an extended decline from dementia.
George was born in Asheville, NC to Helene (Solovioff) and George Hamilton Holmes Jr. After his first 11 years in Tryon, NC, the family moved to a small, self-sufficient farm outside Arden, NC. Growing up on a farm shaped him in a profound way; milking cows, caring for livestock, planting and harvesting vegetables. George appreciated all forms of wildlife; observing their habits, learning their ways, and having an uncanny ability to communicate with them.
George planted beautiful, bountiful vegetable gardens his entire adult life. He experimented with plants not often found in household gardens: peanuts, heirloom greasy green beans, and hops to use in his own beer brewing. His gardens were aesthetic and gastronomic beauties; knowledge of building healthy soil was matched by his joy in sharing the bounty of his gardens with family, neighbors, and organizations in his communities who met the needs of those less fortunate.
George served honorably in the US Air Force from 1959 to 1963. He earned a BA from University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, and a MA in International Studies from Xavier University, Cincinnati, OH before beginning his 25+ year career in education in 1969 as an instructor at the newly opened Washtenaw Community College (WCC), in Ann Arbor, MI. An enthusiastic supporter and early adopter of educational technology, he was involved in various efforts to integrate technology into the student experience, most proudly establishing the first computerized testing center at WCC.
George loved music. From Dave Brubeck to the Grateful Dead to Old Timey traditional music featuring clawhammer-style banjo. He had a vast collection of banjos, mandolins, and guitars. He often purchased distressed instruments online or at estate sales and would lovingly and painstakingly repair. He donated many that were reborn at his hand.
He was an avid believer in weight training and cardiovascular fitness throughout his life; attending local gyms wherever he lived, continuing to jog for years following his dementia diagnosis.
Initially diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) in 2019, George’s condition progressed to vascular dementia and Alzheimer’s. Since 2023, he resided in the thoughtful care of the Towsley Village Memory Care at the Chelsea Retirement Community in Chelsea, MI.
George was preceded in death by his father, George Hamilton Holmes Jr., and beloved mother, Helene, his adoring grandparents, George and Marie Holmes, and his sweet cats, Bullet and Herb. He is survived by his loving partner of over 25 years, Marianne Hollis, both of his younger sisters, Helene (Dodie) Holmes Haase and the Rev. Jean Holmes, his three children: Amanda Holmes Connelly (Jeff), Kathleen Walker Holmes, and John Shannon (Mikaela Davis), and his grandchildren, Luca Tarasow (Hugh Kennington), Mike Tarasow, Roguen Brown, Truxton Brown, and many nieces and nephews.
A celebration of life will be held later this year with details to follow.
In lieu of flowers, donations be made to WEMU radio or Michigan Public Radio.
Arrangements by Staffan-Mitchell Funeral Home, Chelsea.
