[2] Holmes was appointed to replace Robert H. Kaul, joining the court at the same time as Kay McFarland.
[3][4] Prior to the supreme court appointment Holmes had worked for the law firm Holmes, Mellor, Schaefer and Compton in Wichita, Kansas, and was also the chairman of the Wichita Bar Association's Ethics and Grievance Committee.
[5] In 1959 he founded the North American Judges Association, and was the chairman of the Kansas Judicial Council for two years.
[7] He retired 16 months earlier than the designated term end after participating in over 3600 decisions.
[9] Holmes originated in Wichita, Kansas and during World War II served in the Navy.