Justin Lee Holmes

Justin Lee Holmes flew like a "bat out of hell" into the sunset on Jan. 22, 2022.

He was born on Jan. 21, 1971, in Silverton, Ore., to Ray Holmes and Pat Holmes. They remained in Oregon for a short time before making a home in Bonners Ferry, Idaho.

Truly this was the best move for Justin — his love of the outdoors was simply amazing … everything from snow camping, to jeeping, hiking, fishing, boating, mud bogging, surfing during hurricanes and going to the ocean.

Justin attended schools in Bonners Ferry. After Ray and Pat divorced, he also attended schools in Libby, Mont., Sandpoint, Idaho, Priest River, Idaho, before living in Tampa, Fla., where he lived for 10 years.

Justin was called upon our country to service in Desert Storm 1990-91 for the U.S. Army, where he excelled.

He returned to Florida for a time before heading back to the mountains of Idaho. Here he detailed and repaired vehicles with amazing talent … and, as always on his time off, you would find him enjoying the mountains, his dog, and life in general.

In May 2011, Justin met the love of his life in Deanne Westhaver. Once they met it, didn’t take long for him to pack up and moved to Nine Mile Falls, Wash., to be with her and her three children, Geordan, Makenah and Cameron Jarrett. He adored the children almost as much as he adored Deanne. Unfortunately, his time with all of us ended 10 1/2 years later.

Justin is survived by his heart partner, Deanne Westhaver, along with her children; his father, Ray (Beth) Holmes, Bonners Ferry; his mother, Pat (Dan) Cook-Razdik, Oregon City, Ore.; a sister, Nerissa (Dave) Holmes Frahm, Oregon City, Ore; a brother, David Ray (Beth) Holmes, Kingsland, Ga.; and stepsisters Angelique (Alex) Kursman, Las Vegas, Nev., and Kim Groceman, Chesterton, Ind.; two (almost three) grandchildren; eight nieces and nephews; and his aunt, uncles and cousins. His extended family through Deanne includes her parents, Les and Sharon Westhaver, Spokane, Wash.; as well as her sisters and their spouses and children who also loved him deeply.

Memorial services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, March 26, 2022, at Suncrest Worship Center in Nine Mile Falls.

He is loved and missed terribly by all that have been touched by him, but every rustling of the trees in the wind is Justin speaking to each of us reminding us to live our lives to our fullest. You are in our hearts forever.