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Holmes, John L. Was born on September 5, 1932, to the union of Chester and Ethel Holmes who preceded him in death. He made his transition on January 7, 2012. Police Artist John L. Holmes, a United States Air Force veteran, former United States Postal Worker, and Chicago Public Schools Teacher was appointed to the Chicago Police Department on October 25, 1965. His police career spanned twenty-seven years and included assignments as a Beat Officer in the 6th and 21st Districts, Model Cities Programs, and Bureau of Community Service-Preventive Programs Division. In 1977, he was assigned to the Reproduction and Graphic Arts Section. It was during his work in this department, that John's talent as an artist was recognized, and in 1980 he was promoted to the position of Police Artist. Over his career in law enforcement, John received numerous awards and commendations in recognition of his work from the Chicago Police Department, Mayor Richard J. Daley, the Chicago Chamber of Commerce, the Chicago State University Alumni Association, the United States Secret Service, the United States Postal Inspection Service, the Guardians Organization, and the United States Department of Justice Drug Enforcement Administration, "We Care-Chicago Public Schools" and was featured in the Chicago Sun-Times and Ebony Junior Magazine. His dedication to duty provided the impetus for advancing his skills in composite drawings of alleged criminals by obtaining advance training in composite and forensic drawings at the FBI Academy in Quantico, Virginia. John retired from the Police Department in April 1993 but his retirement was short-lived. In 1994, he joined the Cook County Sheriffs Department as an investigator for the Merit Board remaining in this position until 2004. Was that the end of his working career? No. He started working for the Chicago State University Police Department in November 2009 until December 2011. John is survived by his daughters Valencia (of Pasadena, CA) and Jeanine (of Chicago, IL); son, John (of Pasadena, CA.); brother, Thomas (Ada of Los Angeles CA); and grandchildren, Deveto (Christine), Dinita, Kathy (Mark), Karen, Kyle (all of Pasadena, CA) and Kendall (of New York, NY); six great grandchildren: Shakarri, Cole, Cairo, Chloe, Mia, and Mark Jr.; niece, Melissa; and nephew, Deven (of Los Angeles CA); devoted friend and companion, Sandra; special cousin, Dell; longtime buddy, Harold; and many, many, dear friends and extended family members. John was passionate about music, especially Classical and Jazz, and his collection of over 300 owls. John loved life, loved family; he loved friends and was truly a caring individual and "a man for all seasons". A Memorial Service to honor John L. Holmes is being planned.
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Lafayette Turner
Friend
April 3, 2017
My heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of Mr. John Holmes.
Eunice Powell
February 6, 2012
We're planning a memorial in our father's honor on Saturday, March 24, at Chicago State University, 9501 S King Drive, from 3-5pm. More details to come as the date is closer.
Jeanine Holmes
February 5, 2012
February 4, 2012
Dear Family,
John was my cousin, he was the greatest cousin ever.I'm glad he was a police man he earned it. I miss him very much I wish I could have seen him before he died, I also wish he was still here.
Love your cousin,Jayla
jayla mason
February 2, 2012
Dear Sandy and family,
John was my friend for over fifty years. Clara and I will sorely miss him. Our heartfelt condolences to you all.
Chief Ralph I. Turner Sr. (retired)
Ralph I. Turner Sr.
January 28, 2012
As Salaamu Alaikum,Peace be upon You Brother John, your lovely companion and family. "Speak not of the Believer as being dead; he lives, though we perceive it not". Allah (God) is The Creator, the Owner; the Ruler of all things and nothing happens except by His permission. He is our Protector and Guardian. And I thank Allah for granting me the honor of working with Officer John Holmes. You don't really get know people unless you have,worked,or traveled with them. Brother John truly wanted for his Brother and Sisters that which he wanted for himself. I pray that Allah grant my Brother John Paradise, and in addition grant his family members tranquility. Respectfully,Imam Sidney Rahim Sharif (Once known for a while as Sidney E. Clark)
Sidney Rahim Sharif,Imam
January 27, 2012
Our prayers go out to your family, may God Bless. Darlene Phipps and family.
Darlene Phipps
January 26, 2012
John will be greatly missed and fondly remembered by those of us who knew him well. The Family of Ella Miller
January 26, 2012
Jeanine Holmes
January 26, 2012
Jeanine Holmes
January 26, 2012
Jeanine Holmes
January 26, 2012
Jeanine
January 26, 2012
Jeanine
January 26, 2012
Jeanine Holmes
January 26, 2012
Jeanine Holmes
January 26, 2012
January 26, 2012
We wish to express our sympathy to the family of John L. Holmes. We worked with John for many years at the US Postal Service. He was always a friendly, congenial and hard working person, but he always found the time to express concern for others. We last saw him at the postal employees reunion in September and we were looking forward to seeing him at the next reunion in March 2012. We will miss him and pray for his family.
Co-Workers:
~ Velma K McMillon, Chicago, Illinois
Zita Daniels
January 25, 2012
My condolences to the family and all friends of John, a great example of an Officer and a Gentleman. Honored to have been a coworker and friend.
CPD 67-3A
Les Sidney
January 25, 2012
Jeanine Holmes
January 24, 2012
Jeanine Holmes
January 24, 2012
You was a very good friend and will be truely missed. We are both retired from the Chicago police department 7 dist.
Life is to short for a good person and family man.
Eugene Rainey
January 24, 2012
My sincere condolences to us all, for John treated everyone as if they were family.
John and I had a couple of inside jokes that we chuckled over when we encountered each other at various functions.
John knew that I fancied myself an amateur photographer and I would lament, that all of my photos of him, turned out to be drawings (lol).
A second attempt at humor shall discretely remain between John and I.
A Gifted, Talented, Gentle, Caring Man.... Gone Too Soon
Steve Jones
January 24, 2012
My sincere condolences to the family of John Holmes. I asked John to design a security pin (1983) for the police detail assigned to the late Mayor Harold Washington. The pin is a proud posession of those of us who wore it. John has left each of us with an honorable token that is reflective of his skill and heartfelt professionalism. Our love and respect for this servant runs deeply. His commitment to the betterment of mankind is unsurpassed. I am so proud to have regarded him as my friend.
Howard Saffold
January 23, 2012
Cousin John was like a big brother to me. Words cannot express the loss we feel for this very warm, loving and pleasant person. We are truly blessed to have many wonderful memories of all of the great times, great food and great conversations we shared.
Vonda Johnson
January 22, 2012
My sincere condolences to the Holmes family. John and I were good friends for over 55 years, going back to working and playing softball together on Post Office teams. We remained friends forever. He will be missed.Please let know when his Memorial Service will be held.
Earl Simington
January 22, 2012
I was just looking at a photo of John taken at one of our Englewood High School reunions. John always remembered you with, accuracy, warmth, wit & wisdom. He will be greatly missed by all who had the priviledge of knowing him. My prayers to his family & many friends. Sandra Franklin Hannah, Class of '51
January 22, 2012
To the Family of John Holmes
I had the privilege of being in Charge of the CPD's Graphic Arts Section for two and a half years in the early 1990's. John was the Police Artist during this time and I found him to be a dedicated Police Officer and very skillful artist. John was a friend and I am sorry to learn of his passing. He will be in my prayers. Retired Chicago Police Captain
Richard Tracy
January 22, 2012
When you look in the dictionary under the word "pleasant" you will see John's picture. He always had a good word for everyone and I am sad to hear of his passing.
James Conlisk
January 22, 2012
Sincere condolences to the Holmes family.
Joyce S. Wolfe
January 22, 2012
Please accept my deepest sympathies.
Willie windham
January 22, 2012
Dear Friends,
My sincere condolences, John and I were good friends when we worked together in the Graphic Arts Unit in the mid-70's. You just never forget a talent, a smile and a voice like his.
God Bless You All.
Lieutenant Sam Cozzo
10th District
Chicago Police Department
Sam Cozzo
January 22, 2012
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