It is with a heavy heart that HMEPS informs our participants that Fred Holmes passed away on May 6, 2008, at the age of 76, of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), or Lou Gehrig's disease.

Fred entered his public service with the City of Houston in 1964, where he worked with Civil Service and Personnel. In 1972, he began his decades-long service on the HMEPS Board of Trustees. Upon his retirement in 1991, he continued his public service on the Board as a retiree Trustee and was elected to the Board offices of Secretary, Vice Chair and Chair, which he served until his resignation in January, 2008.

Fred was born in Nixon, Texas on March 7, 1932. He graduated from Nixon High School in 1949 and from the University of Texas in Austin with a BBA in 1956.

Fred served in the Navy overseas, where he began his love of traveling. When his service ended, he moved to Pasadena, Texas and worked at Ideal Cement as the personnel director. It was there that he met Virginia "Pat" Holmes, who would become his loving wife of forty-three years.

In his retirement, Fred was active in TEXPERS and the HMEPS Board. He enjoyed traveling, gardening, spending time with his family and being with people. He and Pat were very active in Lakewood United Methodist Church, where he served as an usher. Fred was also a 50 year Mason and a member of the Scottish Rite.

Preceding him in death was his loving wife Virginia Pat Holmes. Fred is survived by his two children, Russell Holmes of Los Angeles, California and Amy Grabner of Baltimore, Maryland, their spouses Michelle Holmes and Scott Grabner and his three grandchildren, Lyndsey Holmes, Stephen Grabner and Nicholas Grabner. Fred is also survived by his sister, Rosemary Wagener, and his brother, Tommy Holmes, and many wonderful nieces and nephews.

A memorial celebration will be held for Fred on May 17, 2008 at 10:30 am at Lakewood United Methodist Church in Houston, Texas. The family will have a private internment on May 18, 2008 in Nixon, Texas. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to:

ALS Clinic Care and Education Fund, Johns Hopkins University
C/O Laura Clawson, 600 Wolf Street, Meyer 5-119, Baltimore, MD 21287

Thoughts and Memories for Fred Holmes and His Family

HMEPS would like to give you the opportunity to share some of your memories and thoughts about Fred. If you would like to leave a brief message that will be added to those below, please leave your message by clicking here. (All messages will be reviewed before being posted. Due to the volume of e-mails, we will not be able to respond to your message.)

I have known Fred Holmes for 31 years and worked for him and with him the entire time at the City of Houston and while serving on the board of HMEPS. I am going to miss this man and will always remember his strength and the strong leadership he brought to board. My prayers are with his family during this period and know that he was loved and highly regarded by all who knew him.

- Roderick Newman (Houston, TX)

David and I loved Fred very much, and also his late wife, Pat. Our consolation is that they are reunited at last. Truly, this is the end of an era at HMEPS. Russell and Amy - Our hearts are with you and your families. Your parents were both good Christian people and loved by many. We will love and remember them always.

- Linda and David Long (Friendswood, TX)

I know that God has a plan for each of us and I am so grateful that having a Beloved Friend such as Fred, was in God's plan for me. It was also God's plan to take Fred home to be with His Beloved Pat and I hope that his Family, whom he dearly loved, takes comfort in knowing that they are together. I miss them both. I will hold on to his friendship in my memories and pray that when Fred looks down and sees me he knows I carry that friendship in my heart.

- Amy Rowley (Houston, TX)

I will forever be grateful to Fred and thank him for all of the lessons he patiently gave me and for his wonderful guidance in the pension and retirement business. Fred’s understanding of the people in the retirement community is something that we all admired. I always looked up to Fred and have been blessed by him always believing in me and giving me courage to follow in his path as a fellow HMEPS Trustee. My prayers are with his family as they endure this great loss.

- Sherry Mose (Houston, TX)

I knew Fred for all of the years I worked for the City. He was always there lending a helping hand to anyone who needed assistance. He was a great leader and knew the value of friendship and loyalty. His presence will be missed and I will miss him personally.

- Mark Mancuso (Houston, TX)

I knew Fred from when I started with the city 34 years ago. I was a lowly city employee and Fred was an Assistant Director but his door was always open. I fondly remember morning coffee breaks with the guys in Fred's office. It was not only great camaraderie but also a learning experience. I can't remember how many Thursdays I spent with Fred at the Knights of Columbus Hall for spaghetti lunches. The everyday public servant like me, elected officials, those seeking to be elected and other movers and shakers in the community would come there on Thursdays for lunch. Fred knew so many of them and he always graciously introduced me to them as his colleague. Many years later when I served on the pension board with Fred I once again saw how many people, in the public pension world, knew and respected him. I am also fortunate to have known his wife Pat and to know their children, Rusty and Amy. His beautiful and loving family are a testament to his very caring and generous soul. I was honored to be asked to return to the city pension board to serve out Fred's term. I know how deeply Fred cared about city employees and their pension. In our time at the city we shared many experiences, lots of laughs and some tough times but he was always a big man with a big smile. God bless you Fred and be sure to give Pat a big hug for me.

- Lonnie Vara (Houston, TX)

During this short 4 years working with Fred in the Houston Municipal Employee Retirement System as a Trustee, I have always felt Fred is a 'father' figure to me. He has a very kind heart, wanting to take care of the people around him, especially the 'younger' or 'newer' generation. He acknowledged, encouraged, guided, showed faith in me, and I have thought he could be there 'forever' so we can work together for the HMEPS' benefit. He is sorely missed. I pray for his family and all of us who lost a really good mentor, comrade, and friend, and be comforted Fred is now at peace with the Lord.

- Sophia Chang (Houston, TX)

I really can't put into words the way Fred affected me here at HMEPS. I feel so honored to have just been a small part of his life. My father-in-law worked with Fred at the City in the 70s and said what a wonderful person he was. Retirees I talk with on a daily basis have all told me the fond memories they have of him. I only hope I can incorporate into my life the traits he showed every day - his kindness for friends and strangers, his positive attitude, his smile and happy demeanor and his unique ability to make you feel so special when you talked with him. Thank you Fred for leaving this world a better place - the Lord has a special place for you, of that I am sure. I will make sure the next generation at HMEPS never forgets you. My thoughts and prayers are with your family.

- Peter Koops (Houston, TX)

Shirley and I first met Fred in the 1960’s when we were young City employees. We met Fred’s wife Pat shortly thereafter and we all became friends. We shared so many good times. We raised our kids together and included one another in many family gatherings. We socialized on a regular basis, going to parties and city functions. It was Fred who suggested that I become a Board Member at HMEPS. A number of years ago Fred and Pat moved to Jersey Village, living only about 3 blocks from our house. We usually had dinner together at least once a week at a favorite neighborhood restaurant, not because the food was so great but because we were such good friends and enjoyed each others company. I talked to Fred almost every day and Pat became one of Shirley’s closest friends. We shared many, many happy times together. When Pat passed away we became closer to Fred. He was a very dear friend and we are going to miss him more than we can express. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his daughter Amy and her family and his son Russell and his family. May you find comfort in knowing that your father was loved by so many. May God bless and comfort you during this very sad time.

- Ray Kennedy (Jersey Village, TX)

I thank God for the opportunity to have known Fred and his family. He was a wonderful person full of life, laughter, and hope. He loved his wife Pat and it was very diffulicult for him to be seperated from her. Well Fred you are in Heaven now with Pat and your Lord and Savior. I know you are happy. Thank you for the joy you brought into my life and for your service to HMEPS. I count it a privilege to have known you and to have prayed for and with you over the past 18 years. May you rest in peace knowing that you have done so much good. I know God is saying to you "Well done my good and faithful servant". I say to your family take what you have seen in the life of your parents and try to live your life as they did, it will not be easy but what an honor.

- Love you, Lynnette Bartula