Howard Holmes

Our beloved Howard entered into eternal rest with Jesus leading the way August 25, 2025. After a hard-fought fight with Dementia, he is at peace. Thank you, Jesus!

Howard Gene Holmes was born in Houston, Texas October 26, 1936. He accepted Jesus in his early years and was baptized at Bethany Baptist Church, the same little church where he married the love of his life, Patsy Parker, June 19, 1959. They shared 66+ years together building their family of Debbie, Sabrina, and Howard, Jr.

Howards passion for helping others started early as his lifelong dream was to be a police officer. He first learned the ropes by riding with the Harris County Sheriff’s Department which lead to a whirlwind career that took his new bride of 3 months to Longview, back to Houston, West University Place, and the Bellaire Police Department. Times were hard raising a family on public servant wages, so he changed course and ventured out to become a Sales Rep for McRobert Chevrolet.

A major course change to move out of big city, planted his family in Smithville in 1971 and then to their forever home in Rosanky with acreage for a wonderful life filled with a menagerie of animals, swimming in the “tank”, and playing in the woods. Once again, he joined the Smithville Police Department and the Smithville Volunteer Fire Department to serve his community.

Howard was co-owner of an excavating/paving company primarily in the Austin area until 1986 where many young men from Smithville were given the opportunity to learn a trade under his guidance, even transporting them to Austin job sites and back home safely.

Life brought him closer to home and he went to work for Bastrop County, Precinct #2, retiring in 2001 after 13 years. He wanted to travel and he did!

Aside from a beautiful family, his other “love” for service brought him and three other families together to form a volunteer fire department serving Rosanky, Pine Valley, and String Prairie. 3N1 VFD was officially recognized in 1984. Years of due diligence, low funding, fund raisers, and sheer determination these men and women paved the way for what is now Emergency Service District #1 that protects a very large segment of Bastrop County. In 2016, Governor Abbott presented Howard with the “Star of Texas” award after being injured while responding to an accident. This award honors First Responders, Fire Fighters and Law Enforcement who are killed or seriously injured in the line of duty and serves to recognize the bravery and sacrifices of those who risk their lives to protect others in the state of Texas.

On a side note, Howard served as President of Bastrop County Fire Fighters Assoc., attended and taught many fire and rescue classes. Would be remiss if we did not mention he ran for Sheriff of Bastrop County in 1976 along with eight other candidates and all were soundly defeated by the infamous Nig Hoskins!

A life well lived oh true and faithful servant.

He is survived by his loving wife Patsy, his 3 children Debbie Perry (Kenneth) of Giddings, Sabrina Fiebrich (Tim) of Needville and Howard Jr. (Kathy) of Rosanky as well as 6 grandchildren: Sean Perry-Austin, Stacey Perry-Houston, Tyler Fiebrich (Ashley)-Needville, Kaedra Fiebrich-Pearland, Tiffany Pierce (Rusty)-Mount Juliet TN, Thomas Waneck (Codi)-Iola: 7 great-grandchildren: Knox Fiebrich-Needville, Tricia Perry-Tulsa OK, Nathan Perry-Georgetown, Trevyn Perry-Bastrop, Kinsley and Elliot Pierce-Mount Juliet TN, Sierra Waneck-Iola and 1 great-great grandchild: Cairo Bullard-Tulsa OK. Along with his baby “Jillie” the cat.

Howard was preceded in death by his parents John and Willie Pauline Holmes, in-laws Garland and Rita Parker, brother Jimmie Holmes, niece Kim Martin and nephew Jimmie “Bo” Holmes.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Bastrop County Animal Services (shelter).

Pall Bearers will be Kenneth Perry, Tim Fiebrich, Tyler Fiebrich, Wayne Cole, Demetrie Mitchell, and Matt Cooper.

Honorary Pall Bearers will be Raliegh Measom, Mason Weems, Wayne Sellers, Johnny Holmes, Steve Brungard, Jimmie Parker, Sean Perry, Clayton Perry, Dennis Parker, and  ESD1

Visitation will be 1:00pm to 7:00pm on Monday, September 1, 2025 at Marrs Jones Funeral Home. The family will greet guests from 5pm to 7pm.

The funeral service to celebrate Howard's life will be at 10:00am on Tuesday, September 2, 2025 at Marrs Jones Funeral Home with burial following at Rosanky Cemetery.