Augusta, GA - Arthur Leonard Holmes, husband of Dr. Paulette Harris-Holmes, entered into eternal rest on Thursday, November 20, 2014 at the Georgia Regent’s Health Shock Trauma Center following a tragic motor vehicle accident in Augusta, on November 6, 2014.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Wednesday, December 3, 2014 at 2:00 pm at the Gilbert-Lambuth Memorial Chapel at Paine College with Rev. Dr. Luther B. Felder II officiating.
Audie was born on April 15, 1932 in Merrick on Long Island, New York to Edwin Holmes and Cornelia Creighton Holmes.
He is the father of Art Holmes Jr., Randi Horne, Dee Burney, and Kelly Holmes of Carey, North Carolina.
Audie was a graduate of Augusta College, Augusta State University, Georgia Southern University and several other institutions of higher learning. He held the following degrees: B.S., M.Ed, Ed.S, and Ed.D. Dr. Holmes was a life-long member Cure’ of Ars Roman Catholic Church in Merrick, Long Island.
Audie taught at Terrell Academy and the Augusta Youth Development Center. He was an Assistant Professor of History at Paine College from 2000 to 2014. He taught World, American, and Military History, as well as World Regional Geography courses. He established and directed the annual Cedar Grove /Paine College historical re-enactment tours for the last six years. He served as advisor to the Paine College History Club.
Audie served in the US Army Special Forces - Airborne. He served one tour in Korea and three tours in Vietnam. During his military career he lived in 34 countries on six continents. After retirement from the military, he served as a director of the language lab at Fort Gordon; he was fluent in five languages.
Audie received numerous military awards including the COMBAT INFANTRY-MAN BADGE- SECOND AWARD, SOLDIER’S MEDAL, BRONZE STAR WITH VALOR-2 AWARDS, COMMENDATION AWARD WITH VALOR=3 HEARTS, PURPLE HEARTS= 5 AWARDS, GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL, NATIONAL DEFENSE MEDAL, KOREAN SERVICE AWARD, UNITED NATIONS MEDAL, VIETNAM CAMPAIGN MEDAL, VIETNAM SERVICE MEDAL, MASTER PARACHUTIST BADGE-(JUMPED OVER 1340 TIMES), FOREIGN SERVICE AWARD, VIETNAMESE PARACHUTIST BADGE, PRESIDENTIAL UNIT CITATION, THE MERITORIOUS UNIT CITATION,THE CIVIC ACTION AWARD, and the VIETNAM CROSS OF GALLANTRY.
Audie had opportunities to serve as liaison to various countries in Central and South America, including Chile. He was an active member of the United States Power Squadrons (USPS) where he served as District 26 New Squadron Chairman for South Carolina and Georgia. He was a Past Commander of the Savannah River Sail and Power Squadron and the Founding Commander the Golden Isles Sail and Power Squadron (St. Simon's Island, Sea Island, Jekyll Island, Brunswick, and Darien Georgia). In addition, he was a certified USPS course instructor and a Vessel Safety Examiner for the USPS. He completed all USPS courses including Celestial Navigation achieving the rank of Senior Navigator (SN) including Celestial Navigation. He was a volunteer fireman for Grovetown, Georgia, an active member of the CSRA Reading Council and the Lion’s Club. He was also an active member of Historic Augusta. He was the Foundations’ Officer for Phi Delta Kappa.
Audie enjoyed his homes and friends in both Augusta and on St. Simon’s Island Ga.
Honorary pallbearers will be members of the Savannah River and Golden Isles Sail and Power Squadrons and Paine College History Club. Honorary pallbearers are asked to assemble at the church at 1:30.
Audie requested that his ashes be scattered from his yacht in the blue waters of the Atlantic Ocean.
If desired, in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Paine College, 1235 15th Street, Augusta, GA, 30901 in memory of Dr. Holmes.
After the euology the family will receive friends at a reception at Paine College.