James (Jim) Holmes passed away in Spirit River, Alberta after a short battle with lung cancer on March 10, 2016. Jim was born on January 24, 1947 in East St. Paul, MB. Shortly after his birth, Jim was adopted by his loving parents Elizabeth (Bessie) and Sydney Holmes. In 1950, Elizabeth, Sydney, Jim and his baby sister Sybil moved to Edmonton. Jim spent the summers of his youth working as a life guard at the Jasper Place Pool and the Storyland Valley Zoo. After graduating from Ross Sheppard High School in 1964, Jim attended the University of Alberta. In 1968, Jim graduated with a degree in pharmacy. After graduating, Jim worked as a pharmacist in Grand Centre, AB. On July 29, 1972, Jim married his first wife, Kathy Aitken, in Edmonton and the next day moved to Spirit River, AB to start a new life in the Peace Country. Jim first managed and then finally purchased Spirit River Drug. He enjoyed his days working at the pharmacy and sharing his vast catalogue of jokes… some good and some not too good, with customers and staff alike. Jim always felt it was important to give back to the community and was a regular sponsor of local events, including the Wanham Plowing Match. Jim also served as a Justice of the Peace for the community for many years and was a long-time member of the Masonic Lodge in Spirit River and later the Northland Lodge in Fairview, AB. On May 1, 2004, Jim married Laura Hessler in Las Vegas, NV. Jim and Laura worked at the pharmacy together and shared many happy memories building a beautiful life in northern Alberta. Jim and Laura loved to travel and made regular trips across North America. Sadly, Laura passed away on May 22, 2015 after a long battle with various health conditions. Jim will lovingly be remembered by his son Dan (Wende) Holmes, his stepson Brandon (Danielle) Hessler and grandchildren Samantha, Kael and Reese, his sister Sybil (Frank) Ciciarelli and sons Michael and Alan, his sister in law Valerie (Bill) Szymanski and son Warren, his brother in law Ritchie (Joanne) Moravec and sons Zac and Josh as well as many more family and friends across Canada and the United States. Thank you to Dr. Phillips, Dr. Spruyt, Elaine Yaniskewski and staff in Spirit River and Dr. Severin and staff in Edmonton. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, March 19, 2016 at 1:00 pm at the Centennial Hall in Spirit River with Pastor Wes (Wyatt) Brown. In lieu of flowers, memorial tributes may be made directly to the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation http://www.jdrf.ca/ or the Central Peace Palliative Care Committee in care of Grande Prairie Regional Hospital Foundation http://supportyourhospital.ca/ Care entrusted to Bear Creek Funeral Home Grande Prairie 780-830-7742 www.bearcreekfuneral.com