Murray Lavert Holmes, 89, of Coupeville, entered into rest in Coupeville on July 7, 2008. Mr. Holmes was born in Columbia, Miss., on Feb. 19, 1919, to Joseph Josiah Holmes and Tessie Home Fortenberry Holmes. He was raised in Columbia.

During World War II, Murray enlisted in the Army Air Force, and served as a surgical medic in the Pacific. He met Hazel Linde while stationed at Fairmont Air Base in Nebraska. They were married in 1947. The couple lived in Columbia, Miss., and then eventually relocated to Geneva, Neb. Murray first worked in building construction there. He eventually entered law enforcement and served as a police officer for the town of Geneva. He then became a deputy for the Fillmore County Sheriff, and was elected to the position of sheriff. He completed his career by serving as chief of police of Geneva. In 1998, he moved to Coupeville.

Murray was a member of the Geneva Gun Club, the National Rifle Association and the Evangelical Free Church of Geneva. He was an avid hunter and gun collector.

Murray is survived by his two daughters, Mary Bryson and husband Bruce of Coupeville and Myrtis Wilmoth and husband Kenneth of Kingsport, Tenn.; one son, David Linde and wife Sharon of Annabella, Utah; six grandchildren, Nicole Olts and husband Matthew of Port Townsend, Allegra Clarkson of Port Townsend, Nathan Mullins and wife Karen of Kingsport, Tenn., Zachary Mullins and wife Debra of Phoenix, Logan Mullins of Kingsport, and Stephanie Witt of Johnson City, Tenn.; four great-grandchildren, Sadira Olts, Jason, Connor and Kinsley Mullins; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his wife Hazel in 1995 and by ten siblings.

A graveside service will take place at Geneva Public Cemetery in Geneva on Monday, July 14. Locally, a memorial service will be held at Cam-Bey Apartments on Tuesday, July 22, at 1 p.m. Memorials may be made to the American Stroke Foundation, 5960 Dearborn, Mission, KS 66202. Arrangements are with the assistance of Whidbey Memorial Funeral and Cremation Service, Inc., Oak Harbor. An online memorial register is available to be signed by going to www.whidbeymemorial.com.