Malcolm H. Holmes

Seven days before his death, Malcolm Holmes walked with his wife to the beach near their home and sat down next to her in the Florida surf. With his typical, graceful athleticism, he then leaned back, dug his toes into the sand and reveled in the moment. For all who knew Malcolm, this picture captures the boyish charm, exuberance, gratefulness and dignity with which he lived his life.

On Friday, August 31, Malcolm H. Holmes, much loved for his generosity, wit and insatiable curiosity about the world and its people, died at the age of 77 after stubbornly denying cancer and his doctors from commanding his life.

Whether he was evacuating from the blitz as a young English schoolboy or traveling around the world to help those less fortunate, Malcolm always seemed to attract adventure. Never one to sit back and wait for life to come to him, he lived with a passion to do more, see more, and touch as many as he could along the way. With his vivid stories of far-flung places and his captivating charm, he made even the most ordinary moments entertaining.

Although many in Atlanta will remember Malcolm, former Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Contel, as a highly successful business leader and mentor, Malcolm was most proud of his more humble accomplishments. Born in London on November 11, 1934, to Harold and Gladys Holmes, an insurance clerk and housewife respectively, Malcolm worked to support himself from a very early age, passing his O level exams at the age of 15 and immediately entering the workforce as an articled clerk in downtown London. By the time he was 21, Malcolm had earned his certification as a Certified Accountant from the Institute of Chartered Accountants in Edinburgh, Scotland.

Never one to miss an adventure and much to the chagrin of his Mum, Malcolm soon moved to the South Pacific to work for the Fiji Trading Company and continued on to the Caribbean as a Chief Accountant in Jamaica. His most proud business achievement was his appointment as President of the Jamaica Telephone Company at the ripe young age of 35.

During this time, Malcolm was shot by a union protester during a labor dispute and made it out with only a “flesh wound”. This shooting, like the bombing of London he recalled so vividly as a child, only fueled Malcolm’s grateful appreciation for life and his desire to live it well. As he frequently told friends, “If one of those bombs had landed just 100 yards closer, I wouldn’t be here today. Now I can’t let that go to waste, can I?”

After the sale of Jamaica Telephone Company in 1975, Malcolm continued as a key officer for Contel Corporation, which had owned Jamaica Telephone Company, migrated to the United States, and earned his U.S. citizenship. He enjoyed a successful 20-year career at Contel, eventually becoming Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. He retired from Contel after brokering the acquisition of the company by GTE Corporation in 1991.

In retirement, Malcolm continued his love for adventure by traveling all the world’s continents more than once and residing in Syndey, Australia for nine years before building a home among the sand dunes in Watersound, Florida with his wife, Jeanne. Even then they continued to travel widely.

Malcolm was always immensely grateful for what he called “a fortunate life” and loved to give back. He donated his time at the Special Olympics and by serving on the Boards of Directors for the YMCA, Trust Company of the West, and the Wharton Business School at The University of Pennsylvania. He also volunteered in Zimbabwe, helping local small businesses through the Retired Executive Service Corp. sponsored by the U.S. State Department. A lifetime lover of theater, opera, ballet and the arts, he most recently served on the Board at the Seaside Repertory Theater in Seaside, Florida.

Malcolm is survived by his loving wife Jeanne Dean Atlanta, GA and Watersound, FL and her three children, his brother John Holmes and sister Sheila Kinton both of London, England, stepsons Alex Holmes St. Louis, Missouri and Vincent Lasch Atlanta, Georgia, and 5 grandchildren.

A private memorial service will be held at a later date. The family would like to thank Hospice Atlanta for their love and support during Malcolm’s last days.

In lieu of flowers, Malcolm would like contributions made to the Friends of Orchard Hill College who over the years have greatly helped his disabled nephew. Checks may be mailed to Friends of Orchard Hill College, Orchard Hill College, Old Town Hall, Wallington College, SM6 0NB England, or funds may be transferred electronically to Barclays Bank PLC, Sort Code 20 84 17, A/C 10589659, Friends of Orchard Hill College, Ref: Malcolm Holmes.