James Arthur Holmes, 68, passed away on January 13, 2015. Jim was born to Robert and "Mike" Holmes on January 5, 1947 in Ontonagon.

He joined the United States Navy in February of 1964, retiring as a Master Chief Boiler Technician in July of 1986. During his Navy career, he served on several ships and shore duty stations and visited over 40 countries around the world. His personal awards include: two Navy Achievement Medals, Navy Commendation Medal, Expert Rifle and Pistol Medals, Sea Service Ribbon with four stars, Navy Expeditionary and Armed Forces Expeditionary Medals, Humanitarian Service medal, five Good Conduct Awards, Vietnam Service Medal with three stars, Vietnam Campaign Ribbon, Combat Action Ribbon, Meritorious Unit Commendation and Master Training Specialist Engineering Systems. His tours of duty have been served on the USS Murray DD576, USS Beatty DD756, USS Charleston LKA113, USS Bronstein FF1037, USS Sacramento AOE-1, Ship Repair, Guam and Naval Training Center, Great Lakes, Illinois where he had duty as a recruit Company Commander and Instructor of Marine Engineering Systems.

Jim attended Old Dominion and San Diego State Universities under the Navy's off-base educational programs and was a graduate of several engineering schools. Jim was also the Command Master Chief for Naval Sea Engineering Systems Command, Northwest Division in Seattle, WA. He served a total of 23 years of active duty in the Navy. His retirement ceremony was conducted at the Supervisor of Ship Building, Conversion and Repair Command in Seattle, WA where he had been the Director of Hull, Mechanical and Electrical Systems and the Marine Power Plant inspector for ships under construction in the Northwest. Jim returned to Ontonagon in April, 2003.

He was a life member of the VFW Post 5600, where he had been the Commander for 10 years. He was also a Charter Member of the Eagles Post 4226 in Belfair, WA and a member of the Fleet Reserve Association Branch 029, as well as the D.A.V.

In June of 1990, Jim married Vicky Seitz of Washington State. He is survived by his wife and her daughters Kim Bander (Gary) of New York, Misty Kindell (James) of Washington; 9 grandchildren; 1 great grandchild; mother-in-law Willie Seitz of Washington; sisters Barbara (Ruben) Gonzales and Jaye D'Ann Holmes of Ontonagon. He is also survived by aunts, uncles and cousins.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents; infant sister Sabra; niece Melanie; father-in-law Vern Seitz and sister-in-law Martie Romer.

A Celebration of Life will be held February 7, 2015 at VFW Post 5600 in Ontonagon, beginning at 3 p.m.

Fair winds and calm seas, Master Chief, your watch here on earth is over.