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Created in 2013, Skate Guard is a blog that focuses on overlooked and underappreciated areas of the history of figure skating, whether that means a topic completely unknown to most readers or a new look at a well-known skater, time period, or event. There's plenty to explore, so pour yourself a cup of coffee and get lost in the fascinating and fabulous history of everyone's favourite winter sport!

Larry Holmes

 Larry James Holmes

November 20, 1946-August 2, 1994

Born in Etowah, Tennessee, Larry Holmes took up figure skating in his youth at one of only two rinks in the state in the early sixties - the Knoxville Civic Auditorium-Coliseum, where the head coach was Olympic Bronze Medallist Vivi-Anne Hultén. He passed away on August 2, 1994 at the age of forty-seven.

Larry's obituary: "Larry Holmes passed away Tuesday evening, August 2, of AIDS complications. He was 47 years old. A sweet-natured man, Larry knew how to enjoy a diverse life. He filled his life with much music, travel, playing the piano, and entertaining friends with gourmet dinners. For 13 years, Larry worked for the Levi Strauss Company, retiring as manager of the Office Services-Purchasing Department in February '93. Larry took pride in being physically fit and in being sober. At one time or another, he had competed in dancing and figure skating, taught ballroom dancing, been a proud member of the 101st Army Airborne Division, and spent three years on the performance team of the Foggy City Square Dancers. Among those who selflessly assisted Larry during his last difficult months were his love of the last 4 1/2 years, Gordon R. Wright, Larry's sisters Deborah and Pamela Holmes; Tricia Kelly; and Marilyn Johnson. They and other dear friends said their farewells on August 6 at the Fort Point anchorage of the Golden Gate Bridge. As they scattered his ashes, a flock of birds took off in formation. This was surely a sign that Larry's loving spirit was being set free."

*Source for inclusion: Robert John Quinn's Memorial Books, The History Project (Boston and Massachusetts LGBTQ+ Archive)