John Henry Holmes

Dr. John Henry Holmes III, son of the late Gretchen La Cour Holmes and Dr. John Henry Holmes II, was born on January 9, 1922 in Winchester, Kentucky. He departed this life on October 11, 2001 due to a brief illness. After the untimely death of his father at the age of three, his mother moved the family to Trenton, New Jersey where she was employed as a teacher, “Mother” was extremely talented, there fore taught English, French and Music until her retirement. His educational background included: Bordentown Agricultural and Technical Boarding School, Bordentown, Pennsylvania; Lower Merian High School, Ardmore, Pennsylvania; College of Medicine, Howard University, Washington, DC(Bsdegree1943); College of Medicine, Howard University, Washington, DC(MD degree 1948); Chief Resident of Medicine, Provident Hospital, Baltimore, Maryland 1951; U.S. Army (Korean War)rank of Captain-Medical Corps Airborne Unit 1952-1954. He married the former Serena M. Pearsall of Whitesboro, New Jersey on July 16, 1950. After John’s return from the Korean War, he started his solo family practice in West Baltimore, In 1969, he and his innovative colleagues formed Medics Associates and opened the first Black-owned comprehensive medical center-Village Medical Center, 4200 Edmondson Avenue, Baltimore, Maryland. Other business ventures include partner and co-founder Dukeland Nursing Home, part owner Medeso Apartments, Eutaw Place, the first Black-owned apartment complex constructed to provide quality sliding scale housing for moderate income families. He was a member of Madison Avenue Presbyterian Church, Baltimore, Maryland. His organizational affiliations included: American Medical association, Monumental Medical Society, American Professional Practice Association, American Geriatric Society, The Me De So(sponsored prominent young black women as debutantes), Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, college of Medicine Howard University Alumni, and Chi Delta Mu Medical Fraternity. John “Frankie” was well respected for his humble respect for God, sense of humor, unpretentious demeanor, pragmatic, methodical, insightful intellect, compassionate commitment to his patients, and his devotion to his family. His uncompromising themes for living his life were: always maintain his integrity, hard work, “the Army way is the only way”, don’t procrastinate, call a spade a spade, graciously accept the successes and failures, and there is nothing wrong with a little fun-after the hard work. John was an avid reader, possessed a genuine interest in Space Exploration, Scientific Research and a deep appreciation for “good music and good fun”. He leaves to mourn: his loving wife, Serena P. Holmes; one devoted daughter, Adrienne M. Marshall; faithful grandchildren, Imara S. Lewis and husband Jermaine E. Lewis, Kyle H. Johnson, and Quay P. Marshall; a great grandson, Jermaine E. Lewis Jr.; two sisters, Grechen V. Bowen, Prezealia Byrd; two brothers-in-law, nieces and nephews, a host of other relatives and friends, appreciative patients and colleagues.

Tributes

John Henry Holmes

January 9, 1922 - October 11, 2001