Grote Industries Saddened by Passing of OEM Regional Manager

Sept. 30, 2015

Holmes was a retired Major in the United States Army Reserves. He enlisted in the Army in 1975 where he served for four years. After that he was in the Army National Guard where he went to Ecuador to build roads and bridges. Following the Army National Guard, he went to the Army Reserves where he retired in the rank of Major. While in the military he spent his time in the engineering division.

Grote Industries announced the passing of OEM Regional Manager Jim Holmes. He passed away Sept. 26, evening at the age of 58 while in Hospice care surrounded by his family.

"Jim was a professional who always took care of his customers. He made a tremendous impact at Grote Industries and we will miss him", John Grote, global vice president of sales and marketing, said.

Holmes began his career with Grote in 2011 as the southeast OEM regional manager. He managed many of Grote's OEM customers in the truck and trailer market.

"Jim was so much more than a successful performer for the Grote OEM sales group. He was a very kind, generous, and fun-loving individual who genuinely cared for those he encountered during his Grote career. He was a friend as much as he was a colleague, and he will be missed by his Grote family and customers," Kent Bode, director of OEM sales, said.

He is survived by his wife Sydney; his children, Bob Gild, Beth Krzywicki, and Zola Holmes; grandchildren, Nathan, Nicholas, and Molly; sisters, Gloria Gmerick, Joan Thompson, Susan Fritz, Judee Hein, Mary Ann Holmes, Jill Roberts, and Caroline McBroom; his brothers, Gary Holmes, and Jack Holmes; and many nieces and nephews

He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Tom Holmes and his sister Betty Holmes Ripple.

A private internment will take place at Georgia National Cemetery. In memory of Holmes, donations are being accepted in his name through the Wounded Warrior Project.