Thomas “Tom” Barton Holmes

Thomas “Tom” Barton Holmes died Saturday, November 3, 2018 at the age of eighty in Blytheville, Arkansas. Thomas was born in Nashville, TN to Ruth Barton Holmes and John Acton Holmes. He grew up in Ripley, TN where he was active in Boy Scouts and attained the rank of Eagle Scout in 1954. Tom served his country in the US Air Force. He attended the University of Tennessee where he received a Bachelor of Science in Engineering Physics and a Master of Science in Solid State Physics. During that time he was a member of Tau Beta Pi, a National Engineering Society and Sigma Pi Sigma, a National Physics Honor Society.

Following graduation he went to work for LTV Aerospace as a Flight Dynamics Engineer in Texas. When the aerospace industry downsized Tom had jobs in the field of electronics that took him to a number of cities across the United States in various areas of expertise. When in California he became a commercial photographer specializing in Architectural Photography. Upon moving to Blytheville he joined the staff at Cotton Boll Technical Institute as the electronics instructor where he taught for 15 years. Upon retirement he continued teaching classes at Arkansas Northeastern College in physics and math. He opened a photography studio, QuickSilver Studio, and was the owner of HMH Electronics Systems, Inc., installing home security systems and satellite systems. As a tennis enthusiast he enjoyed teaching the sport to all ages through the summer programs at ANC.

Tom was Scoutmaster for Boy Scout Troop 104 at First United Methodist church for a number of years and was recognized for his service with the District Award of Merit and in 2001 when he received the Silver Beaver Award from the Eastern Arkansas Council. He was also the Scoutmaster for the Council Troop attending the National Boy Scout Jamboree in 2001.

Besides tennis he enjoyed bicycle riding (organizing several local 50-mile races in conjunction with downtown events, “Flatland Flyer Bicycle Race”), singing in the Community Choir at ANC and was a member of the choir at First United Methodist Church for a number of years. Tom’s sense of rhythm started by being a trombonist in the High School Band, but it expressed itself afterwards by his love of dancing.

He was preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by his wife, Diana Holmes of the home. Other survivors include his siblings, John Holmes (Beverly), Ann Bush (Allen), Susan Laney (John), and Bill Holmes (Anne), step sons Sean Brister (Stephanie) and Paul Brister (Dee) and three grandsons.

Thank you to the caregivers working through In Home Senior Care, especially April Cason and the staff of Unity Hospice for the attention given to Tom and those around him.

Visitation and memorial services will be held at the Blytheville First United Methodist Church on Thursday, November 8, 2018, with visitation at 1:00 p.m. and the memorial service following at 2:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, please consider making donations to Boy Scout Troop 104 at the First United Methodist Church, Blytheville, Arkansas, or First United Methodist Church, Blytheville. Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.cobbfuneralhome.com.