Page 40 - Senior Link Magazine Winter 2018- Online Magazine

Doris died in 2007 after suffering and mentor to young parents, and
from Alzheimer’s for several years. physician and care giver to thousands
Dr. Holmes had a heart attack in of “littles” on the South Plains. The
2001. After he recovered, he made the community of Lubbock owes a debt
choice to move to Carillon. Over and of gratitude for the contribution this Levelland’s Hundred-Year
over he’s heard, “What a wonderful wise and gentle doctor made to its
gift you gave your children.” After children and their parents.
living at Carillon for 16 years, he says, Hall of Famer
“It’s been a very good choice. I eat
properly . . . I have transportation
. . . people check on me. I’m sure it
has increased my lifespan by several
years.”

T.H. Holmes smiles when he talks
about the children he cared for.
He relished his role as teacher

Dr. Holmes was the beloved pediatrician of the author’s husband and the obvious choice to care for our four
children. We witnessed firsthand his love for the littlest of Lubbock.

Dr. Steve Holmes

Dad relished teaching new mothers, and he was truly devoted to his patients. But the real love story of his life
revolves around my mother. I have never known a man more dedicated to his wife. He loved her wholly, in sickness
and in health, even after she was totally incapacitated by Alzheimer’s for years and years and years.

Barbara Holmes Fish

Dad was very strict when we were growing up. I noticed, however, after I started working in his office in the seventh
grade, that a lot of people thought he was amazing. After I had my own baby, I thought, “Wow! He really does love
kids, and he is so good with them.” For years, everywhere we went people would recognize him, and I began to fully
appreciate how well loved he is by this community.

Stephanie Holmes

He’s Granddaddy! That’s what we call him - my sister Jennifer and I, and our cousins Mitchell and Jessica. We each
have a very distinct and unique relationship with him, and of course we are ALL his favorite “one.”

One of my favorite things about Granddaddy is... (listening to his) astounding ability to recount details of his entire
life’s history. To listen to him talk about his life is paramount to reading a novel by some great author.

My grandfather is a pillar of strength and stability. He’s humble, yet direct and outspoken. And when he laughs, you
know you’ve hit home. I could spend days listening to him answer my unending questions. What is most profound
is to hear him speak about his love for my grandmother, and his love for his medical practice. We called her Momo,
our grandmother. When I was a child, they were just Momo and Granddaddy - a constant presence about which I
had zero perspective. As an adult, it is clear that a love like theirs comes once in a lifetime, if you’re lucky. Etched
into my memory is his account of their meeting, his courtship of her, his respect of her, his true partnership with
her, his parenting journey with her, and his relentless devotion to her. They were married 63 years, 8 months, and 11
days.

Perhaps the young people in our world can learn something from a man like my grandfather. He has strong
opinions...which (they might) not understand. But what you will find in Granddaddy is love, loyalty, service,
kindness, compassion, strength, and the greatest of character.

40 Lubbock Senior Link