[2] A native of Kentucky, Holmes graduated from Virginia State College and studied at the University of Michigan.

Holmes was elected to the Michigan House of Representatives to fill a vacancy caused by the death of Charline White in 1959.

When Coleman Young was elected Mayor of Detroit and resigned from the Michigan Senate, Holmes won election to fill the seat and moved from the House to the Senate in March 1974 where he served for two decades until his death.

On his passing, his daughter Patricia was elected in November 1994 to fill the seat for the remaining month of session.

The Holmes Act was legislated into Michigan Law in 1978 to protect youth from harsh penalties and sentencing for felony criminal offenses; it has been amended as the Holmes Youthful Training Act from the ages of 17 to 26.