Melvin “Jake” Holmes, 92, passed away on Thursday, Nov. 3, 2011, at Charleston Heath Care Center in Danville, Ky.
Born in 1919 in Calvin, Va., he was a son of the late Floyd Richard and Martha Carol Holmes. Jake moved to Danville in 1937. He was a very active member of Franklin Masonic Lodge No. 28 where was a Master Mason, served as postmaster and chaplain and was awarded Mason of the Year in 1990. He also was a deacon and a Sunday school teacher for a number of years, and a Kentucky Colonel. He was a veteran of World War II, during which he was a radio operator serving on the front lines, and was a member of the 400th veterans club.
Jake was retired from the railroad, having worked for both C&O and T.P. Railroads. He also worked at Danville Motors on South Fourth Street. He was a fixture for many years as a door greeter and ambassador for Preston-Pruitt Funeral Home. Jake never met a stranger and entertained many with his stories and jokes while comforting and caring for families during visitations and funerals.
