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Robert Darral Holmes Sr., 79, passed away Saturday, Dec. 15, 2007, at his Round Prairie area home north of Bonners Ferry after a long battle with cancer.

Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Friday, Dec. 21, 2007, at Bonners Ferry Funeral Home with burial following at Grandview Cemetery.

Robert was born June 6, 1928, in Newton, Iowa, to Archibald Franklin and Helen LaVay Lockhart Holmes.

He joined the U.S. Navy full-time and as a reservist, and served from 1945 through 1951. Robert received the World War II Victory and Korean Service medals. He was discharged as a Ship's Serviceman 2nd Class.

Robert then worked as a police officer in Newton, Iowa, for 3 years.

On Dec. 13, 1952, Robert married Phyllis Jean Rankin in Kellogg, Iowa.

In 1960, they moved to Southern California and Robert worked at Palomar Mortgage Co. and Security Pacific Bank in Riverside until transferring to Security Pacific Bank Branch in Hemet, Calif., where he was a loan officer for several years. When the Bank of Hemet opened, Robert went to work as a manager and worked his way up to vice president. He then accepted an executive office placement with Kitchen Jewel Manufacturing.

Robert was a member of the Masonic Lodge and Rotary.

He enjoyed raising quarter horses for many years and was an exceptional horseman.

Robert was a pilot and built his own bi-plane stunt aircraft in his garage. He was an avid racquetball player and physical fitness enthusiast and a longtime member of the Newton YMCA.

Robert was a wood crafter, creating cigar humidors, carousel horses and furniture, and was an artist and painter.

Survivors include his wife; sons Bob Jr. and Rick Holmes; grandsons Eric and Craig Holmes, Zachary Thompson, Jessy and Cody Moore, and Landon Truesdale; granddaughters Michelle and Amanda Holmes; great-grandson Wyatt Holmes; and a sister, Bonnie Stark.

The family wishes to thank to North Idaho Cancer Institute and Bonner Community Hospice.

Family and friends can sign Robert's book at HYPERLINK "http://www.bonnersferryfuneralhome" www.bonnersferryfuneralhome.com.

Bonners Ferry Funeral Home handled arrangements.