MADISON, Wis. (Nov. 21, 2013) — George E. Holmes of Fort Myers, Fla., owner and president of Holmes Tire & Automotive Inc. in Madison during the 1960s-80s, died Nov. 17 at age 85.
Mr. Holmes was involved in Holmes Tire Co. for more than five decades, starting to work in the family business in the 1930s in his early teens, according to his son Tom Holmes, the business' current owner and president. He retired in 1990 and eventually moved to Fort Myers.
Holmes Tire is a single-outlet tire and auto service dealership in operation in Madison since 1926, founded by family patriarch Frank Holmes.
George Holmes also was active in the National Tire Dealer & Retreaders Association, heading the Young Executives Committee in the 1960s.
Locally he was a member of Downtown Rotary for many years.
He was very passionate about the American West and rodeo, according to the family's obituary, staging Madison's first rodeo in 1949, and continuing rodeos with his family at No Oaks Ranch until 1989. He produced and announced rodeos all over the Midwest and East coast, including Ebbetts Field and Boston Gardens. He coached Golden Gloves Boxing and westside youth hockey.
He is survived by his sons Tom (Linda) and Michael; daughter Kiki; grandchildren Casey Holmes (Jessica) and Amy Holmes; great-granddaughter Tommi Jo Holmes; and many other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death earlier in 2013 by his wife Lorna.
A memorial service was scheduled for Friday, Nov. 22 at 2 p.m. at Holy Mother Of Consolation Church in Oregon, Wis.