MLK Holiday Parade Grand Marshal 2008
DR. WENDELL P. HOLMES, JR.
D
r. Wendell P. Holmes, Jr., is president of
Wendell Holmes Funeral Directors, Inc., and has been a distinguished
community servant for the past four decades. He is a member and officer of
Ebenezer United Methodist Church. As the first African-American ever to be
elected to a school board anywhere in the state of Florida, Dr. Holmes
served twenty-three years on the Duval County, Jacksonville, FL, school
board; four of which as its chairman.
Dr. Holmes has served as a member of the Trustee Boards at two Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), twenty-seven years at Bethune-Cookman University (thirteen as chairman) and twenty-six years at Hampton University (nine as chairman). He presently continues to serve on the Board of Trustees of Hampton University, and has been elected Chairman Emeritus of the Bethune-Cookman University’s Board of Trustees. Counted among Dr. Holmes other community and professional memberships are:
The Community Development Council of First Union National Bank (now Wachovia Bank)
The DuPont Community Building Fund Advisory Committee
The Better Jacksonville Plan Finance Administration Committee
Chairman of the Council of Board Chairs
Life member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity
Founding Sire Archon of Gamma Beta Boule’ of Sigma Pi Phi Fraternity
In recognition of his exemplary humanitarian and community service, Dr. Holmes is the recipient of more than 100 awards, including:
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Honorary Doctor of Law Degree from Bethune-Cookman University in 1984 |
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Brotherhood Award from The National Conference of Christians and Jews |
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Listing in Who's Who Among Black Americans |
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The Centennial Medallion Award for Meritorious Alumni and Community Service by Hampton University |
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Distinguished Leadership Award by the United Negro College Fund |
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The Silver Bell Award for Significant Contributions to Education by the Duval County Classroom and Teacher Association |
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Man of the Year Award by the Florida Morticians Association |
In recognition of his selfless dedication to education, Dr. Holmes has been honored by the Wendell P. Holmes, Jr., Business Building on the campus of Bethune-Cookman University, as well as the Wendell P. Holmes, Jr., Men’s Dormitory on the campus of his alma mater, Hampton University.
Dr. Holmes and his wife Jacquelyne having engaged in many philanthropic endeavors, continue to “give back to the community” by co-sponsoring the NAACP ACT-SO student competition involving high school students throughout the Greater Jacksonville area. In addition to his myriad of accomplishments, Dr. Holmes is most proud to be the father of two children, Wendell P. Holmes III, and Carolyn Holmes Nesmith, as well as four grandchildren and two great-grand children.