Vernon Eugene Holmes

Vernon Eugene Holmes passed away July 4, 2023 at his home in Pickens surrounded by his loving family at the age of 89. He was born in Pickens, OK on September 17, 1933 the son of Elmer (Pee Wee) and Naomi Holmes.

Vernon was saved at the age of 16 at Pickens Holiness Church where he has been a lifetime member. He loved to play his Fender Stratocaster electric guitar at Church services. Vernon’s father was drafted into the war when he was 12 years old therefore Vernon stepped in as the father figure and helped raise his siblings until the return of his father. After returning from the war his father moved the family back to Pickens and at the age of 15, Vernon stole his best friends girlfriend, Christine at age 14, and they dated for 2 years and were married on June 15, 1951 and shared 72 wonderful years together.

Vernon had a good sense of humor and enjoyed joking and cutting up, especially with Christine. Young couples from the area would stop by to visit and enjoy time with Vernon and Christine. He and Christine loved pulling pranks on each other. He enjoyed fishing and riding on the Pontoon boat. They loved spending time with each other and their family.

Vernon was well known for his work, clearing land and building roads. He loved his profession, and it showed through his work. He worked building Hwy 259 South of Carter Mountain, all the way north of Smithville to Cucumber Creek. He considered it an honor when he was asked to work as the first bulldozer operator on constructing the Hwy 259 A Dam access road. He and his dad built most of the steep slopes in and around the lake, as well as run the other equipment needed to construct it. He dozed down the first trees there and was the last heavy equipment operator to leave when Broken Bow Lake was finished. He was highly sought after among the major construction companies for his expertise on operating heavy equipment, but his love was running a bulldozer. He loved to clear land and build roads. If he cleared land for you, you better make sure you didn’t want any trees left because he wasn’t going to leave any.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Elmer (Pee Wee) and Naomi Holmes; brothers, Glen Holmes, Freman Holmes and baby Holmes; sister, Linda Holmes Holt and son-in-law, Wayne Bruce.

Vernon leaves to cherish his memory his loving wife, Christine of the home; daughters and sons-in-law, Marilyn Bruce, Rhonda and Mike Crawford, Gayla and Randy Hardaway all of Pickens; grandsons, Lance and Amy Crawford of Pickens, Brad and Mary Beth Bruce of Broken Bow, Dallas and Tacey Hardaway of Pickens; granddaughters, Robin and Tim McDonald , Candace and Richard Smith all of Pickens; great-grandsons, Stormy and Kaitlyn Foster, Logan Smith, Kollin Crawford, Daylon Hardaway and Zaden Keiss all of Pickens, Kaegan, Karter and Aidan Bruce of Broken Bow; great-granddaughters, Chelsea and Junior Cantrell, Maggie Smith and London Crawford all of Pickens, Sierra Hardaway of Van Buren, AR; great-great-grandsons, Jasper, Everett and LeLand Foster of Pickens; a host of other relatives and a multitude of friends.

Visitation will be held from 6-8 p.m., Thursday, July 6, 2023 at Bunch-Singleton Funeral Home Chapel.

Funeral Services are set for 2:00 p.m., Friday, July 7, 2023 at Battiest Cafetorium, Battiest, OK with Rev. Randy Holmes and Bro. Hank Baggs officiating. Interment to follow at County Line Cemetery, Pickens, OK.

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