Holmes Conrad Harrison III, resident of Gwynn’s Island, Virginia, passed away on July 12, 2024 at the age of 83 years. Mr. Harrison was born on June 25, 1941 in Richmond, Virginia, to the late Holmes Conrad Harrison and Mary Winston Montague Harrison.

Holmes was raised on Monument Avenue and graduated from Thomas Jefferson High School in 1959. He was awarded a Bachelor of Arts degree from Hampden-Sydney College in 1963 and earned a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Richmond in 1966. He was a member of Omicron Delta Kappa, Phi Delta Phi, and the McNeill Law Society.

Holmes was admitted to the Virginia Bar in 1966 and was a law clerk for the Honorable Ted Dalton, Judge of the Federal District Court of the Western District of Virginia. From 1966 to 1972, Holmes was a U.S. Army Captain in the Judge Advocate General Corps, serving two years in Germany and two years in South Korea. In 1972, he started his civilian law practice in Harrisonburg, Virginia, with partners Clark, Bradshaw, Jolly, and Smith. In 1984 he helped form the law office of Harrison & Thumma, P.C., and continued in the general practice of the law until he retired in 2000. He served as President of the Harrisonburg-Rockingham Bar Association in 1979-1980 and Harrisonburg-Rockingham County and other local jurisdictions as a General District Court substitute judge. Professionally, he was known as a true “counselor at law.” His colleagues universally respected his knowledge, advice and above all, his character. Holmes had a tremendous love of nature and was an avid outdoors person throughout his life. Whether it be law or fishing, he was an excellent teacher who enjoyed sharing his knowledge with others.

Holmes was predeceased by his sister, Mary Harrison Johnson of Bon Air, Virginia. He is survived by Linda Callahan Reid, whom he married on October 25, 1987. Linda was the love of his life, and he adored her above all else. Their union was built on love, respect, and mutual admiration. Holmes and Linda spent countless hours together reading, laughing, and sometimes disagreeing. Their conversations were filled with candor and curiosity and included every subject imaginable. He is survived by two sons, Ben and Jeff Reid, and his daughter-in-law, Amanda Reid, all of Harrisonburg. Holmes (also known as Papa) loved his six grandchildren, Leif McCoy, Mason Reid, Alexandra Reid, Brodie Reid, Adele Reid, and Felix Reid of Harrisonburg, as well as a niece and three nephews. Together with Linda (also known as Granny), Holmes enjoyed spending time with his family. Holmes’s children and grandchildren adored his patient demeanor, consistent encouragement, sense of humor, and unwavering love and support.

Donations can be made in his honor to the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, Attn.: Membership Department, 6 Herndon Avenue, Annapolis, Md. 21403 or Mathews Memorial Library, P.O. Box 980, Mathews, Va. 23109.