We celebrate the life and memory of Deacon Japan "Ricky" Holmes, Jr.  whose death occurred Tuesday, August 11, 2020 at St. Joseph's Hospital.

Japan Holmes Jr. (“Ricky“) entered the world on Aug. 25, 1949 in Savannah, Georgia. He was one of three sons born to Japan and Carrie Mae Holmes.

Ricky was educated in the Chatham County Public Schools, graduating from Robert W. Groves High School. He was one of the first African American students sought out by W.W. Law to aid in school integration at Groves High School. He continued his education at Tuskegee Institute in Alabama, graduating with a bachelor’s degree in business management. He later did post-graduate work at Armstrong State College, Georgia Southern University, and DeVry University, earning a master’s degree in accounting, education, and financial management, respectively.

After brief employment stints at various organizations which included Georgia Pacific, Union Camp, the Board of Education’s accounting department, and H&R Block, Ricky settled into a successful, 32-year career at Savannah Technical College, where he was one of the school’s most respected accounting instructors when he retired in 2016.

He was also a member of the Prince Hall Masons, Mount Moriah #15 33rd degree Mason Chapter.

Ricky was a dedicated, tireless servant of Jesus Christ at First Union Missionary Baptist Church, where he served in many capacities and was a member all his life. He served as a Sunday School teacher, a deacon, a member of the brotherhood, as well as Chairman of the Trustee Board and Deacon Board. He was so loved and respected as a Deacon he was nicknamed #1 Deacon by most church members. He served in each position with the utmost integrity, earning a reputation as an honest, trustworthy man who never compromised his principles.

He married Patricia, the love of his life, on July 20, 1975, and this long-running love affair lasted for 45 years. God called his faithful servant home on August 11, 2020, but the love he and Patricia share is everlasting. Their union produced a son, Yushorn, and a daughter, Tinita. He was a loving and dedicated husband, father and grandfather, to whom family meant everything.

Ricky was preceded in death by his father, Pastor Japan Holmes Sr., mother, Carrie Mae Holmes, and brother, Pastor Jerome Goldwire (Sharon). In the latter years of his parents’ lives, as they struggled with failing health, Ricky, a faithful son, was always there whenever they needed him.

He leaves behind to cherish his memory wife, Patricia; children, Yushorn (Erica) and Tinita; brothers, Bernard (Deborah) Holmes, Jacksonville, FL and Calvin (Lorraine) Holmes, Fredericksburg, VA; five grandchildren: Peyton Alana, Samaya, Aria, Olivia and David; aunt and uncle, Verneda and Waldo Jackson, Washington, DC; sisters in-law and brothers in-law: Brenda Solomon (James) Steadman, Tolanda Solomon (Jonathan) Ford, Jr., Linda Solomon, Tony Solomon, Lavonjay Solomon (Lavon) Landy, Gwendolyn Solomon (Sanford) Griffin, Gus Solomon (Betty), Rufus Solomon-deceased (Gloria) all of Savannah, GA, and Ruth Solomon (Donald) Logan of Statesboro, GA.; long-time friends, Brady Louis Jones III, John Finney, and Sekhar Anumolu; adopted sisters Yvonne Brown and Veronica (“V”) Campbell; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and other relatives and friends.

Public viewing will be held 6-8 p.m. Friday, August 21, 2020 at Campbell & Sons Funeral Home 124 W. Park Ave

Graveside service will be held 11:00 a.m. Saturday, August 22, 2020 at Bulloch Memorial Gardens 22002 Hwy 80 East Statesboro, GA

Please sign our guestbook at www.campbellandsonsfuneralhome.com