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Beloved husband, father, grandfather and brother, Clay Waller Holmes, Sr. passed away peacefully at home surrounded by family, after a courageous battle with lung cancer on January 30, 2002. Born October 20, 1928 in Marshall County, Kentucky to Roscoe and Willie Mae Holmes. He married his high school sweetheart, Betty Jo Blewett on August 4, 1951. Clay graduated from the University of Louisville¯s Jefferson School of Law with a Bachelors of Laws degree in 1952. That year he embarked upon a long career in the Insurance Claims Industry. Father of four sons, Clay donated many hours in his hometown of Benton, KY, as a Scoutmaster and leader of many youth projects in his local Methodist Church. In 1962, Clay took a position with G.A.B. in Yuma, Arizona as a Claims Adjuster and moved the family ¯out west.¯ In 1964, he moved to Boise, Idaho with G.A.B. as Regional Casualty Supervisor for the Western Region, and moved again in 1968 to Bountiful, Utah. There he was active in the Community Church where he taught Sunday school and was a Scout Leader for many years. In 1973, he became a partner in the adjusting firm of Sonntag and Mallory. In 1981, the partners sold Sonntag & Mallory and Clay and Betty moved to Albuquerque, New Mexico after becoming"enchanted" with the life and the land. He began doing claims work again for G.A.B. until he retired in 1991. Clay¯s greatest joy was his family. He enjoyed all family activities including weekend sports and game playing. Clay was passionate in his reading, studying, teaching and conversing about history, geography and politics. Clay loved to travel and incorporated his fascination with history in his many journeys, including Europe and China. A Christian gentleman, Clay was a student of the Bible, and read all the Books of the Bible five times. Clay lived his faith and was a role model for all who knew him. Clay was preceded in death by his mother and father, Willie Mae and Roscoe Holmes Sr.; brother, Curtis Holmes; and sister, Lena Mae Holmes Wilkes. Survivors include his devoted and loving wife of 50 years, Betty Holmes of Paradise Hills in Albuquerque; sons, John Wesley "Wes" Holmes and wife, Jill; granddaughters, Phyllis Ann and Elizabeth Marie Holmes of Farmington, Utah; Joel B. Holmes and wife, Ellen; grandson, Colin; granddaughter, Maggie of Ft. Collins, Colorado; Clay W. Holmes Jr. and wife, Mary; granddaughter, Margo Rodriguez; grandson, Roderick Rodriguez and great-granddaughter, Lee Anna Rodriguez of Rio Rancho; Robert C. Holmes and wife, Kam and grandson, Bruce Hinds of Albuquerque, NM. Also survived by sisters, Lunelle Nickell Holmes and Flora Lee Hawkins of Kentucky; brother, Roscoe Holmes Jr. of Fresno, CA, many nieces, nephews and great nieces and nephews. Clay was loved and respected by all who knew him and counted on his sound judgment and advice. He has been a wonderful influence and example to follow for all who were fortunate to know him. He will be missed but never forgotten. Service will be on Saturday, 10:00 a.m. at French Mortuary Westside Chapel, 9300 Golf Course Rd. NW (3 Blocks North of Paseo Del Norte) with Pastor Lemuel Boyles, officiating. Burial will follow at Gate of Heaven Cemetery. French Mortuary Westside Chapel, 9300 Golf Course Rd. NW.
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