John Henry Holmes Jr. was born April 20, 1948 to the union of the late John Henry Holmes Sr. and the Late Jeannetta Espanola Deckard-Craven-Holmes in Palestine, Texas. He was the youngest of seven children. He attended Banks Elementary, Lincoln Junior High School and a 1966 graduate of A.M. Story High School.

At a very young age, John accepted Christ at Mt. Vernon African Methodist Episcopal Church. He was a very active member until he began his ministerial journey. He walked, talked, and preached the word of God for 44 plus years. He preached his first sermon at Mt. Vernon AME Church. His   journey included: Green Bay AME—Tucker, TX; Elkhart Circuit: St. Andrew AME, St. Mary AME, and Washington Chapel AME; First: Hamilton Memorial AME—Texarkana, Quinn Chapel AME—Denison; Second: Hamilton Memorial AME—Texarkana, St. Paul AME—Mt. Pleasant; Third: Hamilton Memorial AME—Texarkana, Grant Chapel AME—Palestine, and St. Stephens AME—Pittsburg. He retired from the AME church in 2018.

Over the course of his life, John was employed with various entities in addition to pastoring. He was employed at: Drug Store—Palestine, a construction worker—Jacksonville, Texas Department of Criminal Justice—Tennessee, TX, Denison ISD Bus Driver—Denison, Street Department Heavy Equipment Operator and Forman—Texarkana.

John was married to the late Jaycynthia Smith Holmes. To this union, seven children were born. He was a devoted husband for 46 years.

John completed his earthly journey on Wednesday, October 5, 2022. He was preceded in death by his father, mother, wife, brothers, Gene Craven and Oliver Craven, sister, Vera Craven, daughter, Jeannetta Ruth Holmes, one great-grandson, and one great-granddaughter.

He leaves to cherish loving memories: sons, Sidney P. Holmes, Rosharon, TX, George R. Holmes, Lufkin, TX, Christopher E. Holmes, Marietta, GA and John H. Holmes III, Palestine, TX; daughters, Cynthia Roberta 9Ruben) Lamay, Texarkana, TX, Stephanie A. White, Wake Village, TX, and Hannah G. (Winfred) Vaughn, Columbus, AR; sisters, Ruth Evans, Palestine, TX, Jeannetta Estella Potts, Sacramento, CA, and Mae Ella Weston, Missouri; god-daughter, Jessica White; 21 grandchildren, 18 great-grandchildren, and a host of brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.