Good friend, knifemaker J.P. Holmes, passed away last night...

Kohai999

Kohai999

Second Degree Cutter
Joined
Jul 15, 2003
Messages
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My much loved friend, knifemaker J.P. Holmes, passed away last night of complications from leukemia. He was in the hospital on Thursday, and never woke up. He was surrounded by loved ones and family.

Back when I had a knife retail shop a long time ago, we used to hold a couple tables the OKCA knife show in Eugene, OR.....this is in the mid-90's....J.P. and his lovely wife Karen were right next to us, and seemed highly amused by our childish antics. Over the years, J.P. and I became close, and he made me kitchen knives, hunting knives, cheese knives and chopsticks. I have more J.P. Holmes knives in my collection of using knives than any other maker.

He loved to fish, liked a strong drink from time to time, loved exercise, his wife and making knives. He was a good man, and the world is less great for him being gone.


Took this photo a couple years ago when he was down here getting ready for a fishing trip, called me up about a week and a half later, asked me if I wanted any fish. I did...wasn't expecting an 80 lb tuna.:D


Here is one of the knives he made me, David Boye dendritic 440 casting, handle was all J.P., ivory, mokume gane and African Blackwood.
http://jphknives.com/

Here is his website.....check it out, and see....he was a solid maker.....this sucks so bad.

Best Regards,

Steven Garsson
 
Sorry to hear this my friend.....God Bless J.P., all of his friends, family and loved ones.....may he Rest In Peace. :(
 
AAarrggh. I'm seeing the photo of him and thinking: "SO familiar! I know I must have met him?"

Click on the website and there's the knife photo I took of his back in 2007 at the Napa Show. :) Now, I recall. :(

Sorry to hear. Thanks, STeven. Prayers to loved ones.

Coop
 
Sorry to hear about your friend's passing STeven. I never had the pleasure of meeting him myself, but my thoughts are certainly with his friends and family
 
RIP Mr. Holmes.
Prayers sent for the family and loved ones.
Sorry you lost your friend Steven.
Thanks for honoring him here.
Much Respect.
 
I'm sorry to hear about your friend's passing. It sounds like he was a solid friend who loved you. That is a really cool knife that he made for you, thanks for posting it for us to see. Although I've never met him I'm sad for his family, you and rest of the knife making community.
 
JP was a good friend and sad to hear the news. I have good memories of when I lived in Livermore and JP and I were comparing notes. We also had some good times at the BACKA show and shows down in Southern California. Phil
 
Sorry to hear about this I never met JP but it sounds like he lived a rich life and had many good friends May he rest in peace and his knives keep bringing joy to the folks that are lucky enough to own one.
 
What a fitting tribute, Steven. I got the email from Karen and am too beyond devastated. JP and Karen were the reason I attended the SoCal Blade Expo in Pasadena every year, without fail. A more sincere, inviting, engaging and generous couple you would not be able to find. It made no difference what might have been going on in your own life - just being around JP and Karen would put a smile on your face, every time, for however long you were fortunate enough to be in their presence. I can't bear to think what Karen's going through at the moment. The only consolation I can take at this moment is in knowing that a bit of JP will continue to live on in the many beautiful camping, hunting, kitchen and folding knives that will eventually be passed along down many generations of my family.
 
It's always sad when the community losses a valued member, smoke and prayers from NEPA for his family and friends.
 
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