Dale Robert Holmes

Dale Robert Holmes passed away Saturday June 24, 2023, at Saint Patrick’s Hospital in Missoula with his family by his side. Dale was born December 18, 1959, in Butte, MT, where he grew up raising hell on Dewey Blvd, whether it was riding up and down the block popping wheelies on his bike all day or playing tricks on his siblings. His wicked sense of humor would be something he kept with him his whole life. He could tell you a story and make you believe every word. Dale graduated from Butte High School in 1978, it was also the year he and his high school sweetheart Lori Roper welcomed their first child Jason. They were married soon after and four years later they welcomed their daughter Jessica. Although Dale and Lori divorced, they remained good friends. Dale married Kathy Hossfeld in 1989 and they welcomed their daughter Ashley on January 17, 1990. They later divorced but remained very close to each other, spending holidays together and always helping each other out. They were close friends right to the end of Dale’s life. He worked as a Driller for many years, first for Long Year Drilling starting when he graduated high school and then for AK Drilling. He worked all over the United States and in several other countries. The last 8 years or so he has really become a jack of all trades, you name it he could build it or fix it. He has built everything from a playhouse for his granddaughters, a new porch for his daughter, storage sheds for many people, and has fixed and worked on many vehicles including a mini mouse bike he built with his youngest granddaughter. Besides his kids and his family his other true loves were his dogs and motorcycles. He always had his boys, Bodie and Bill right by his side. He spent many hours on his Harley always making sure to show off his new set of pipes whenever he got some. He passed down his love of bikes to his son with whom he enjoyed riding with. He devoted many years to taking care of his mom and aunt (aka his ladies), always making sure they had everything they needed. He took care of his mom right up until she passed away. He loved to cook, always using a ton of garlic and tarragon in everything. He was an excellent baker and baked his mom cookies every few days so she could have them in the nursing home, or his daughter her favorite cake just because. He had a temper like lightning and a heart of gold always happy to help anyone. He was a natural caregiver but never wanted to be put in the spotlight, which is why his last act of giving should have been no surprise. He was an organ donor, and although we are left with broken hearts it brings us comfort knowing that he was able to help two people in need. Dale was preceded in death by his father Keith Holmes and mother Gerry Green. He is survived by his brother Dick (Cathy) Holmes, sisters Laurie (Ray) Mohney, Caroline (Tom) Gardipee, son Jason Holmes, Daughters Jessica (Joe) Petroni, Ashley Holmes, granddaughters Olivia Phillips, Joci, Lene and Gia Petroni, stepmother Marylou Holmes, and numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends. It is with heavy hearts that we bid our Dale “Fare Thee Well” Not goodbye because he will live on forever as legends always do, in the notes of a favorite song or on the breeze of his beloved “wind therapy.” Ride Free and Peaceful Now Dear Dale. Until we meet again. A celebration of Dales life will be held later this summer.

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Dale Robert Holmes

December 18, 1959 - June 24, 2023