John Ancil Holmes

John Ancil Holmes passed away at his winter residence in Desert Hot Springs, California Feb. 27. He resided on Mercer Island since 1948. His wife Evelyn preceded him in passing in 2006. Born February 24, 1920, in Seattle, WA, he had just celebrated his 92nd birthday. He was the youngest of six siblings, whom all preceded him in death. John attended Kent High School and WSU, before he was drafted into the service during WWII. He was a member of the Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity. John excelled in all sports, including football which carried him into playing for the Army-Air force. John left the service as a Captain, married Evelyn and they resided on Mercer Island since 1948. They were married for 62 years. They had three children; Barbara, Jack and Jill. John was a member of the Elks Lodge. His love for the great outdoors followed him throughout his life. He climbed Mt. Rainier, skied in Switzerland, air ballooned, ÿ shed in Alaska and hunted in Montana. John, in 1960, started a shower door and tub enclosure business, Holcam Sales Inc. in Seattle, which was just sold just a couple of years ago. When fire destroyed his company in 1993, he rebuilt it. He ran that business for over fifty years. John & Evelyn made many lifelong friends on Mercer Island. All of them took their motor homes from one recreational property to the next for years together. Most of that great generation is gone now. John has three grandchildren: Terry Jepperson, Brianna & Kyle Murphy. He also has three great-grandchildren; Vanessa, Brennan, Shaylee Jepperson & step grandchild, Jeremy Chapman. A Celebration of Life will be held March 11, Sunday at 1pm at the Community Center on Mercer Island. 8236 SE 24th St. In lieu of flowers, please donate to your charity of choice.592367