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HomeIn the NewsAn Illustrative Tribute to Keith Holmes: Memorial Set for Tuesday, August 8

An Illustrative Tribute to Keith Holmes: Memorial Set for Tuesday, August 8


Along with a statement released from CK Motorsports and the Cat Can Do Racing Team on Monday, details for the memorial for veteran offshore racer Keith Holmes were confirmed late Tuesday evening.

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The ever-positive Keith Holmes is going to be memorialized on August 8 in Spring Lake, Mich. Photo courtesy Cat Can Do Racing

“Today we mourn the death of Keith Holmes,” the statement read following Holmes’ tragic death at age 54 following an incident during the last race of the St. Clair River Classic in Michigan on Sunday. “Thanks to the entire boating community for your prayers, thoughts and loving comments. Keith’s legacy—both as a person and a powerboat racer—will surely live on.”

A memorial service is set for Tuesday, Aug. 8 at 3 p.m., at the Holiday Inn (940 W. Savidge St., Spring Lake, MI 49456) and accommodations are also available via a block of rooms reserved under the Keith Holmes Memorial at the Baymont Inn & Suites in Grand Haven. Instructions for any race teams or fans who plan on attending—wear your race gear since that’s the way Keith would want it.

Enjoy the photos of Keith Holmes in the slideshow above courtesy of Cat Can Do Racing.

Holmes’ primary sponsor for the last couple of years, American Ethanol/Growth Energy, also released a statement on Monday.

“It is with deep sadness that Growth Energy mourns the tragic loss of our close friend and partner, Keith Holmes,” the statement read. “The owner of CK Motorsports and throttleman of the American Ethanol/Cat Can Do catamaran, Keith was considered one of the world’s premier offshore powerboat racers. The entire Growth Energy family is shocked and saddened at this terrible news, and we extend our heartfelt thoughts and prayers to Keith’s family, friends and loved ones. Keith was the ultimate competitor out on the water, with nearly three decades of racing experience, competing in more than 150 races with 86 victories across the United States. He was a passionate champion for American Ethanol, but more importantly, he was an amazing person: full of life, energy and kindness.”

The slideshow above includes some photos of the boat and the team courtesy of Pete Boden/Shoot 2 Thrill Pix

In lieu of flowers, Jen, Keith’s wife, is asking people to send donations to the Great Lakes Chapter of the American Cancer Society (American Cancer Society, PO Box 22718, Oklahoma City, OK 73123, 800-227-2345) in memory of Keith and his former girlfriend, Rebecca “Becky” Nicosia, who passed away from cancer years ago.

“That’s also what Keith would have wanted so Jen, who is about as special as anyone I know, decided that would be the most meaningful thing to do,” said Sue Morgan, who lost her husband Bob Morgan—Keith’s former teammate, mentor and friend—in an accident during the Super Boat International Key West Offshore World Championships in 2011. “We’re going to miss Keith so much. He had so many wonderful people in his life. This is like déjà vu for me—it’s unbelievable.”

Sue, who was in St. Clair for the race to support the American Ethanol/Cat Can Do team, and has been by Jen’s side since Sunday, said that driver Jamie Sartin suffered several broken bones, including a couple of vertebrae and several ribs. Sartin, who is from Georgia, was released from a Detroit hospital on Tuesday to head home and start the recovery process, which everyone hopes is smooth and swift.

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