James Gregory Holmes 12/07/1949 - 01/01/2026

James Gregory Holmes was born to Paul and Muriel Holmes in 1949 in Elkhart, Indiana. While in high school, Jim taught himself how to play the banjo and when he wasn’t making pizzas, he played music at the local Shakey’s Pizza. His band founded in high school, The Panthers, played the local VFW. And he was briefly a professional musician playing at resorts around the Magic Kingdom in Orlando, FL before turning his interests to computer programming. In February 1977, Jim founded Modular Information Systems, Inc. in Orlando, Florida. After 12 years at MIS, Jim and Vicki became investors in the storage business culminating with the start-up of Big Boy Toy Storage in Melbourne, FL.

 A self-taught cook, Jim authored four cookbooks that were sent as gifts to family and friends alike. Food was Jim’s love language and he thoroughly enjoyed teaching it to his kids and speaking it to those he loved.

 Jim was preceded in death by his parents, Paul and Muriel, his daughter Heather, and his brother Robert. He is survived by his wife of nearly 49 years, Vicki, son Steven Hill, son Michael Holmes (wife Elizabeth) six grandsons; Jacob (wife Becca), Zachary, Nathaniel, George, and Marshall, his great-granddaughter, Tobin, and his sister Kathy.

 Services will be held at Pleasant Grove Baptist Church at 736 Tuckaleechee Pike, Maryville, TN 37804. Reception of friends and family 9:00 - 11:00 am. Service 11:00 am. Burial at West Millers Cove Cemetery at 308 West Millers Cove Road, Walland, TN 37886 will be at noon.

 In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the Alzheimer’s Association. The world’s largest non-profit funder of research. And make your favorite meal this week and share it with friends and family!