Longtime Madison Co. Fire Chief Kelly Holmes dies at 86

MADISON COUNTY, Tenn. — West Tennessee fire officials remember a Madison County legend in firefighting.

Longtime Madison County Fire Chief Kelly Holmes is seen here in WBBJ file video from 2009.

Former Madison County Fire Chief Kelly Holmes has died at 86.

Holmes passed away in Humboldt at the Tennessee State Veterans Home.

Kelly retired in 2009 after more than half a century of service to West Tennessee.

Fire officials say it’s hard to measure Holmes’ impact.

“He would be with us every time we were out,” Madison County Fire Chief Eric Turner said. “He was right there with us and not just [us] — he was out with all the stations. He started this thing from the ground up, built it up, and it’s why it’s what it is today.”

Holmes will be laid to rest this Friday. Visitation will be held from 10 a.m. until noon at the George A. Smith & Sons south location.