Bruce Gordon Holmes

It is with a heavy heart that we announce the passing of Bruce Gordon Holmes on May 12 at the age of 74. He suffered from a long bout of cancer and passed peacefully in his home.

Born in San Francisco and raised in Oakland, California, he was the only child of Stanley and Elizabeth Holmes.

He attended school in Oakland and graduated in 1968 from Oakland Technical High School.

He earned an arts scholarship and took classes at the California College of Arts and Crafts and Laney Junior College. During this time he was also employed in San Francisco at Stairway To Music record store.

He worked for Grand Auto and Johnson Pacific Volkswagen until he moved to Bolinas, California, where he managed Bolinas Hardware.

In 1983, he married Devon Rennick. She later passed away.

In 1989, he and Devon moved to Long Beach, Washington. He then worked at Clatsop Power Equipment in Astoria and repaired small engines.

In 1990, he began working at Art’s Auto Parts in Long Beach, from which he retired in 2018.

In 2002, he moved to Astoria. In 2003, he married Pamela Tillson.

Bruce was a passionate model boat builder and could often be seen at the Columbia River Maritime Museum pond in Astoria, where he floated the first model boat in the pond in January 2020. He also volunteered at the Maritime Museum.

His model boats were highly sought after. He delighted in sharing his extensive knowledge of model boat building.

His wife, Pamela, survives him in Astoria. She wishes to thank Lower Columbia Hospice for the loving care of Bruce.