Ralph Edward Holmes, aged 89, died Tuesday, September 3, 2024, after a long battle with Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma and subsequent pneumonia.  He was born December 20, 1934, in Miami, Florida, the third son of Robert Glasgow Holmes Sr and Wilhelmina Clark. 

At 17, Ed followed his brothers and proudly enlisted to serve his country in the United States Air Force.  Following his military service, he worked as a car salesman, journalist, newspaper editor/owner, and restaurant manager/owner.  He was a tenacious, self-professed “work in progress, and a jack of all trades.”  Eventually, he settled into the field of marketing, a vocation he had originally trained for at Miami Edison Tech High School and had developed over the years.  In 1969, skilled in the creation of commercial art, photography, publishing, advertising, public relations, international expositions, and publicity, he started his own company, Ad/Ventures International, Inc.  Simultaneously, he joined Aero Systems, where he worked his way to the role of Director of Promotions and Trade Exhibits, among many other management titles.  He used his skill set to market and help lead this worldwide aviation corporation for well over two decades.

In 1982, he combined his desire to help others, his marketing background, and his love of the University of Miami‘s football team to create the “Howling Hurricane Super Fans Organization (HHSFO)”.  His goal was to develop excitement in the community about the university, fill its stadium seats, provide opportunity for underprivileged kids to attend the games, and bring the university to national prominence.  He achieved these goals by partnering with the university, scores of local businesses, and the Boy and Girl Scouts of America, along with an aggressive advertising and ticketing campaign to put a spotlight on the university’s football program.  His vision and leadership of the HHSFO brought enthusiasm and true home field advantage to the Canes through increased fan participation and commitment to supporting the Hurricanes on and off the field.

He was recognized as an honorary alumnus of the University of Miami for his contributions and accomplishments on their behalf.  As founder and president of the HHSFO, the largest external booster organization in school history, he helped to increase football season ticket sales exponentially by selling large blocks of tickets in his “Howard’s Hundreds” program, generating the local support that inspired Miami in winning five national championships over the next two decades.  Given his key role in the first four national titles, he was voted to receive a championship ring for each of those special seasons.

Ed was also inducted into the University of Miami‘s “Band of the Hour” Hall of Fame for his service and various contributions to their joint programs with the athletic department, as well as his leadership in helping found the Band of the Hour Association, an ongoing important support group.  When funds were not available, he personally chartered buses to transport the entire band to important state rivalry football games at the University of Florida and Florida State University.

In 1992, in a secret tapping ceremony, he was inducted into the University of Miami Iron Arrow Honor Society, the highest honor attainable at the University of Miami.  Its credo reads, “He, who would know the arrow, must as an irrefutable rule have openly, and without thought of reward shown love of Alma Mater”.  Founded in 1926 and based on Miccosukee Indian rituals, inductees are given colorful jackets, painted with warpaint, and later initiated.  After receiving this high honor, Ed then directed his lifelong habit of generous support to the needs of the Tribe by upgrading the ceremonial tapping mound on campus.

Later in life, Ed moved to Sebastian, Florida, where he briefly returned to restaurant management before becoming a real estate agent/broker.  Concurrent with those endeavors, he created Help Yourself International, Inc., an organization specializing in attainable housing for very low income individuals and families who deserve a proper place to call home.  His passion and mission became to help prevent, and eventually put a permanent end to all forms of homelessness in our country.  He considered this his “Grand Finale in the End Times” and this stemmed from his faith and belief that it’s God’s design that we love and serve one another.

Ever moving forward, his plans for the future also included establishing a church to spread the Good News; establishing a home for unwed mothers that assists in finding foster homes and in adoptions; and establishing a combined Culinary Arts Institute, a Commercial Kitchen and a Cafeteria where patrons could qualify for a means tested Discount Card and participate in a Pickup Service or Meals on Wheels.

Other life interests included bowling; golf; many trips to Disney World; participation in charity events; cooking; hosting social parties, and organizing extravagant business events.

He is survived by his wife, Maryanne; his four children, Susan, James, Jean and John; 8 Grandchildren, 14 great grandchildren; and his brothers, Robert Jr, and Irvin. 

He is interred at Cape Canaveral National Cemetery in Mims, Florida.