On the evening of May 26, 2016, God landed his trophy fish as Tracy left us at Doctors Regional Hospital Corpus Christi surrounded and comforted by family and friends. Tracy's passing follows his seven years battle with ill health. He was 63 years old.
Tracy was born in Norfolk, Virginia on August 8, 1952. He was the second child of three to Emogene and Willie Holmes.
Tracy lived with his parents, brother Tim and sister Teresa in Virginia Beach which was also the birthplace of his passion for the outdoors, particularly hunting and fishing. Before he was allowed to go fly fishing with his Father, the challenge was set by Bill to cast repeatedly into a bucket at 20 feet. Aunt Teresa tells us the story of 5 year old Tracy's desire to go fishing by himself, his wide open body of water was the backyard septic tank.
He attended school at Bayside High School before enlisting in the U.S. Army as a Supply Clerk. Tracy was stationed in Fort Lewis, Washington State, which he loved on account of the local fishing holes and all the fish he would catch. Following the draft and time in the Vietnam War, Tracy was stationed at USS Corpus Christi where he saw out his remaining time in the Army.
Tracy returned to Virginia to graduate Marine Biology at Old Dominion, but the lure of Mexican culture and "...no better place to live than South Texas..." saw Tracy return to Corpus Christi. With the gift of the gab and a passion for sales, Tracy excelled in the oil fields. His skills in hunting, fishing and golf served him well, regularly asked by management to entertain the clients and customers. Some of his greatest memories and greatest friends were forged through these experiences.
In 1981, Tracy married Norma Garza and built a beautiful home in Roscher Estate, Flour Bluff. With the arrival of Maghan, Brian and Shawn, Tracy and Norma raised a beautiful family which became their pride and joy. Between his work at Peter Pan Day School, CC Sports & More and networking, Tracy coached his kids in many sports. From kickball, to baseball and soccer, Tracy became affectionately known by many as 'Coach Blue' on account of his daily attire consisting of a tee shirt and short blue shorts.
In 2009, Tracy suffered a heart attack and spent 41 days in ICU. The years that followed were hard fought to overcome amazing adversity. He did so for his family. The milestones he set, determined to conquer brought him great joy. It started with making Shawn's high school graduation, then see Brian graduate college and walk Maghan down the aisle. It didn't stop there, he fought to see Shawn graduate college, witness his kids forge their careers and dominate, see Brian find an amazing wife-to-be in Courtney and meet Ashton, his grandson.
Tracy's positive attitude, infectious personality and genuine interest in people, left lasting impressions on everyone he encountered. We will remember his sense of humor, his crazy stories, his non-judging advice, his guidance and his uncanny ability to land the biggest fish on every expedition. Some of the many amazing qualities we will always love him for.
Tracy is survived by his wife Norma, daughter Maghan, sons Brian and Shawn, grandson Ashton, brother Tim, Sister Teresa and brother-in-law John, son-in-law Kurt, daughter-in-law Courtney and all his friends which he considers his extended family.
The Holmes Family are thankful for your regards, condolences and well wishes. Please join us for the Service on Thursday, June 2, 2016 at Guardian Funeral Home 5922 Crosstown, Corpus Christi from 6PM-9PM with an Evening Service at 7:00 p.m. Graveside services with Military Honors will be at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, June 3, 2016 at Coastal Bend State Veterans Cemetery, 9974 IH37 Access Road Corpus Christi.