RAPID CITY - James H. Holmes, 75, passed away on Saturday, March 18, 2006, at his home in Rapid City after a sudden illness. Jim was born July 10, 1930, in Williamsport, PA., to John G. and Ethel C. (Novinger) Holmes. He attended school at Jefferson Elementary School, Curtin Jr. High, then Williamsport High. Jim served in the Air Force, enlisting in January 1948, taking his basic training at Lackland AFB at San Antonio, Texas. He was assigned to Griffis AFB in Rome, New York. He served as part of the Berlin Airlift in England, beginning in September of that year. There, in the town of Shropshire, he met Hilda M. Farr, who became his bride on October 5th, 1949. The couple lived in Whitchurch, England for a time and during his service they also lived in Iceland, Texas, Delaware, California, Hawaii, finally landing permanently in Rapid City, South Dakota, buying their first home in March, 1969. He was discharged from the military with full honors in 1968. While in the service in March, 1952, he was assigned to fire control and this started his 38 years career of being in and associated with fire departments, including the Rapid City Fire Department beginning in 1970. He served as South Dakota Deputy State Fire Marshall from March of 1973 until his retirement from the position on May 11, 1990. Jim and Hilda were active in Rapid City Churches and both donated freely of their time and were very involved in Bible studies and other charitable functions till her death in February, 1998. Jim is survived by 4 daughters, Ann C. Roma, Rapid City, SD, Janet L. Dedmon, Phoenix, AZ, Linda S. Ransbottom, Falling Waters, WV, and Sandra J. Gerken, Hill City and numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren.