Faithful Barber Retires after 58 years

Viveon Holmes has retired from barbering. He started as a stump barber at the age of 18. (A stump barber is one who cuts hair on a tree stump.). He cut hair while serving in the Army.

In 1947, he attended Gaines Barber College in Fort Worth, Texas. He worked at his brother-in-law's (Tony Blacklock) barbershop until he opened Holmes Barbershop on San Jacinto. He later opened a second shop on the corner Spring Ave and Lago. He closed both shops in 1973.

After retiring from First Federal Savings & Loan as a mail clerk, he started working fulltime for his long time friend, Johnny Graham, Sr. at Graham Barber Shop #2, which was originally located in Hamilton Park. The barbershop is now located at the corner of Forest Lane and Audelia Rd.

Diane, one of his co-workers says "Mr. Holmes is one of the most dependable barbers she knows and he's an inspiration to everyone he meets."