Michael Holmes

Michael was born on October 6, 1936, in London, England, to Norman and Iris Holmes. He
was the couple's second child; his older brother, Oliver, predeceased him in 2004.
Michael's youth in England was marked by the hardships of World War Il, an experience
that stayed with him throughout his life and left him with a lifelong dislike of fireworks.

Michael studied geology at the University of London, earning his Bachelor's degree in 1957.
He continued his studies there, conducting his PhD thesis in Norway and receiving his
doctorate in 1960.

In 1961, while working for British Petroleum (BP) in Libya, Michael married his first wife, Francoise (nee Charlet). His career later took them to Kenya with BP, and then to
Edmonton, Alberta, with Shell Canada, before eventually settling in Littleton to work at the
Marathon Research Center. Michael and Francoise had two children, Antony (married to
Janet) and Dominic (married to Lauren), who all survive him. He is also survived by Tony's
children: Danika, Jarrek, and Rorrik.

During the 1960's British Petroleum sponsored Michael's studies at the Colorado School of
Mines in Golden where he completed a Master's degree in Petroleum Engineering.

Following his divorce from Francoise in the early 1970s, Michael married Sally (nee Havens)
in 1973. They lived in Littleton and later Denver. During this period, he established his own
consulting firm, Michael Holmes, Inc. (MHI), providing expert petrophysical services.
Michael and Sally divorced in 1987.

In 1987, Michael was retained by the United Nations to consult and teach worldwide, with
time in China and Jordan. The same year, he began a professional collaboration with his
sons, Tony and Dominic, while they were in college. The brothers developed software to
support MHI's consulting services. Upon their graduation, the three became equal partners
in Resource information Services in 1994, which was renamed Digital Formation in 1998.

The company provided software solutions and consulting until its closure in 2024. From
1994 to 1999, he was a visiting instructor at the University of Brunei.

After the closure of DF, Michael and Dominic continued their partnership through MHI,serving long-standing clients until Michael's passing. Over a distinguished 66-year career,Michael published more than 60 industry papers and volunteered extensively on the boards of local professional societies.

Music was a cornerstone of Michael's life from a young age. An accomplished violinist and violist, he was a founding member of several ensembles including the Boulder Philharmonic, Evergreen Chamber Orchestra, Littleton Symphony, and the Boulder Chamber Orchestra as well as various trios and quartets. He prominently participated at the Rocky Ridge Music camp in Estes Park, a unique camp for musicians of all ages to gain instruction to improve their talents. Michael was a board member there from 1992-2018, serving as President from 2008-2012. Their adult chamber music annual summer session was a week-long event called Chamberre. He participated in this for many, many years, and ran it himself from 1998-2008.

Michael met Sheryl Horner climbing a Colorado Fourteener in September, 1996. They planned to do another every year. That only happened once, but they were still out walking almost every day 30 years later. They married in 2000.

It was a happy union with much sharing and caring. There were extensive travel adventures, and at home entertaining of friends. Michael picked up some new skills with Sheryl. In addition to continuing all his chamber music he played violin/piano duets and violin/button accordion duets. He also became a good dancer, learning Scandinavian folkdance at workshops and dance camps, did a lot of polkas, and enjoyed Waltz nights at the Avalon Ballroom in Boulder. Michael enjoyed an extended family and became very close to
Sheryl's daughter and son, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Their household was often lively and full of joy.

He will be remembered for telling stories and reciting limericks, impromptu conversations with strangers, taking photos and giving them to people. He kept as active as possible with
spinal stenosis making his legs untrustworthy. He went from Bicycle to Tricycle but kept on pedaling. He continued to do consulting work with his son. A neighbor described him as a role model for getting older; trimming bushes in the front yard, walking in the sunshine and
making beautiful music.

He passed on February 6, 2026, and will be missed by many.

Contributions may be made to Rocky Ridge Music, 1128 Pine Street, Boulder, CO 80302.