"Pat" James Patrick Holmes

James Patrick (Pat) Holmes went home to Heaven on June 16, 2026 at the age of 85. He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Cindy, their daughters Samantha and Lucinda, son, Andrew, and their spouses. He and Cindy were blessed with 9 grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren.  

Pat and Cindy met at Texas Tech University in 1961, where he played defensive end on Tech's football team for 4 years. After graduating with a degree in accounting, he went on to enjoy a long professional football career.  He spent his first four seasons with the Calgary Stampeders in the Canadian football league (1962-1965), followed by seven seasons with the Houston Oilers (1966-72) and finished his career with the Kansas City Chiefs in 1973.  

After retiring from football, Pat owned a Kwik Kopy franchise in downtown Houston. He later taught himself computer programming, which he enjoyed as his profession until he retired.  

Pat was a devoted golfer and loved to two-step with Cindy. He was an avid historian and took great pride in researching his family genealogy, which led him to become a member of the Sons of the American Revolution. When they moved to Kerrville 20 years ago, Pat and Cindy became involved with Big Fix, trapping and fixing the numerous feral cats that he cared for, and who bonded with him, as he sat with them daily. 

Pat's ashes will be buried during an intimate gathering in a gravesite in Green's Chapel, in Arkansas, with his Texas Tech senior ring, and a Sons of the American Revolution grave marker. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be sent to Faith Christian Church in Kerrville, AWS Freeman Fritts, the Pregnancy Resource Center, Big Fix, or a charity of choice.  

Pat left an impact on all who knew him and will be forever missed. 

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