Charles W. "Chuck" Holmes

Charles W. Holmes was born January 29, 1941, in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, and departed this life on Sunday, December 14, 2014, surrounded by family. Chuck was the son of William Edmond and Ella Mae Holmes Rhodes, and step-son of Oscar Rhodes, Oklahoma City, OK, and the son-in-law of Clifford “Chick” and Edna Gaylor of Prague, OK. He was a member of the First Christian Church. After graduation from Prague High School in 1959, he attended Connors College in Warner, Oklahoma on a football scholarship and received his Associates Degree in 1961. Chuck was an avid sports fan throughout his life. He played high school football, basketball, baseball and ran track. In college he played football, baseball and ran track. He followed Prague High School boys and girls sporting events, state football championships, and Oklahoma college football until shortly before his death. During high school, he was lifeguard at the Prague swimming pool. After graduation from college, Chuck joined the Air Force in the summer of 1961 and attended technical school at Keesler AFB, Biloxi, MS to become a Morse Intercept Operator. He was the honor graduate of his technical school and was one of three airmen nominated for the American Spirit of Freedom Award at Keesler. Most of Chuck’s career was spent at Andrews AFB, MD. In 1968, he was asked to volunteer for an assignment with Special Air Missions in the 89th Military Airlift Wing at Andrews. Chuck found his assignment was with a very selective organization whose fleet of 30 aircraft included Air Force One. Arriving at Andrews in November, 1968, he began 16 years of his military career managing the mission of the Presidential fleet of aircraft that served the President, Vice-President, Members of Congress and distinguished visitors from around the world. After retirement from the Air Force, Chuck continued his work for the next 20 years as a civilian with the Department of Defense, serving as the 89th Special Air Missions Director. Over the years, he became the unofficial historian for the Wing. Chuck is survived by his beloved wife, Sue (Gaylor) to whom he was married for 53 years, daughter and son-in-law Robyn Bottiger (Jeff), sister, Dorothy Elledge, brother-in-law, Robert Gaylor (Eliene), nephews Paul Elledge, Jr. (Mary), and Steve Gaylor, and nieces Stacey Benson (Gary), Carla Boone (Steve), Patricia Townsend (Ron), Janice Reeves (Duane), Cathy Gaylor, Sheri Wyatt (Mark), and numerous other nieces and nephews. A graveside service will be held in early April for family and friends at the Prague Cemetery.