Dr. Charles "Chuck" Wendell Holmes, III

Dr. Charles “Chuck” W. Holmes III, age 92, of Sarasota, Florida, passed away peacefully at home on April 20, 2024. He was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania to Charles W. and Ann (Ruse) Holmes II on June 18, 1931. Times were tough in his childhood, and he joked that in elementary school he changed schools over six times within a few years whenever his father had to change jobs. At one time three generations of his family were living in a house with one bathroom. As a teenager, he had a paper route, and he was motivated to make money working any odd job that he could find. His family eventually moved to Winter Park Florida. He attended Winter Park High School and was an “all round” scholar and athlete. In addition to his outstanding performances in baseball and football, he was also president of the Thespians, Key Club, National Honor Society, AND the student body. His classmates named him “Most Popular Boy”. He was the salutatorian of his graduating class and won awards for excellence in science. Chuck also excelled on the playing field. His1948 high school football team won the conference co-championship. Playing left halfback and safety, he was a leading scorer on the 1949 team and was named outstanding player of the year and alternate captain. A left fielder in baseball, his teammates nicknamed him “Worlds Fastest Human”. In 2008 he was honored by being selected to the Winter Park High School Hall of Fame. Chuck’s chosen profession was inspired by his childhood experience of being called “Bucky” before dental braces corrected his smile. Focused on becoming an orthodontist, he turned down athletic scholarships to Miami, Rollins, and West Point and a pro contract from the Pittsburgh Pirates in favor of an academic scholarship to Emory University where he was elected to Phi Beta Kappa. Following graduation with top honors from Emory’s School of Dentistry, he served two years in the Navy at Norfolk, Virginia, before returning to Emory to serve on their faculty. After completing post graduate studies he moved to Sarasota in 1960 with his wife Nancy and three eldest daughters. He was in private practice in this city for almost forty-five years. He served as a volunteer in the Kiwanis Club and several other professional organizations where he received multiple honors. “My faith means EVERYTHING to me” was his most frequent expression. Chuck taught Sunday School weekly for forty-four years at First Presbyterian Church, before he moved his membership to Sarasota Baptist Church. Even as his health declined, he was always grateful for all of his blessings, and spent several hours weekly watching sermons on TV and on livestream. For many years he supported several monthly Christian ministries, and he generously paid for dental care for those in need. He and his wife Estelle moved to Prestancia in 1993, and the house they built on Palacio Drive was one of the first in the community. Chuck was very active in his neighborhood serving as President of the Board of Governors for five years, and he oversaw the association landscaping for multiple years. He loved to watch the wildlife in his yard and could frequently be heard saying “I love my house, have you ever seen a more beautiful scene in a backyard?”. He enjoyed hunting, tennis, golf, and he was a fifty- year member of the Field Club. Chuck was predeceased by his parents and first two wives Nancy and Estelle. He is survived by his wife Jan Harnden, his daughters Linda Holmes, Karen (Michael) Brown, Chris (David) Burkhart, Mary Holmes, and grandchildren Brian Holmes, Nicholas Thompkins, Joseph Burkhart, Rebekah Burkhart and Jenna Holmes. Also surviving stepchildren are Betsy (Steve) Gooch, Phil McCown, their children, multiple grandchildren, and a great grandchild. Visitation will be held at Toale Brothers Funeral Home, 40 N Orange Ave on Friday, May 3, 2024, from 4-6 pm. A Celebration of Life will be held at Sarasota Baptist Church, 7091 Proctor Road on Saturday, May 4, 2024, at 10:30 am. A private burial will be held for immediate family members. His children are grateful beyond measure to have had the honor of being his daughters and to have had the benefit of his wisdom, decency, and quiet generosity. The family thanks Karen Hall and all the amazing caregivers who so lovingly and thoughtfully cared for Chuck. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Affinity/Continuum Care Hospice Foundation or Sarasota Baptist Church in his memory.

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Dr. Charles "Chuck" Wendell Holmes, III

June 18, 1931 - April 20, 2024