TSgt Leonard Steven Holmes (retired), 79,  of Romance, AR, took the final journey to be with his Heavenly Father on August 11, 2022. He passed at home surrounded by his wife of 48 years and their children.  He was born on June 23, 1943 in Columbus, GA. His parents were Eloise J. and Earl Holmes.

Leonard proudly served 20 years in the US Air Force, retiring with the rank of Tech Sergeant. He joined straight out of high school. He spent 2 years as an air traffic controller before becoming a parachutist on a Combat Control team. He served 2 tours in the Vietnam War, receiving several accommodations. When he came home, he received many awards participating in jump competitions. Before retiring he spent time teaching other servicemen at an Army jump school.

He married Elizabeth Ann Goff on November 17, 1973. She brought 3 children into his life, Kellie Smith, Karen Poole, and Cal Holmes. They also had a child together, Catherine Holland.

Leonard was an avid fisherman, participating in many bass tournaments. He also enjoyed hunting deer and cookouts with his family. More than any of these, he loved to serve his Lord with his church family at Floyd Assembly of God.

Leonard is survived by his wife, Elizabeth Holmes; his children, Kellie (and Kenny) Smith, Karen Poole, Cal (and Carri) Holmes, and Catherine Holland; grandchildren, Jennifer (and Drew) Sandage, Steven (and Lisa) Adair, Joshua (and Makayla) Smith, Jesse Poole, and Jeremy Holmes; great-grandchildren, Savannah, Sawyer, Rachael, Conner, Cutler, Oriana, Mally, Ean, Lila, Brooke, and Haley; and great-great-grandchildren, Clayton and Everleigh; brothers, Daniel Holmes and Kerry Holmes; and many nieces and nephews.

He is preceded in death by his daughter, Amanda Ruth Holmes, his parents, Eloise and Earl Holmes, his brother, Clinton Holmes, and his grandson, Jonathan Smith.

Visitation is 10:00 am, Monday, August 15, 2022 at Floyd Assembly of God Church followed by the Funeral Service at 11:00 am with Pastor Winfield Piker officiating. The interment is at Bratcher Cemetery in Smithville, Arkansas.

Pallbearers: Steven Adair, Joshua Smith, Drew Sandage, Jeremy Holmes, James Whittle, Jason McIver

Honorary pallbearers: Jesse Poole, Conner Adair