Dr. Donald Albert Holmer, age 79, passed to eternal rest with The Lord Jesus on May 9, 2013 in Pensacola, FL surrounded by his wife, children, daughters in law, grandchildren and great grandchildren. A native of Lead, South Dakota, he was preceded in death by his mother and father, Agnes and Albert Holmer. "Don" received a Phd in Chemical Engineering from Oklahoma State University and enjoyed an accomplished career as a Research Chemist for Ethyl and Monsanto Corporations and is credited with many textile patents over his long career. Don was an avid fisherman and shared his love of the Gulf of Mexico with his two sons every chance he could. He was a regular swimmer at the UWF pool house, accomplishing more miles to his credit in the past few years than most do in a lifetime. Don and his wife Winnie were founding parishioners of Nativity of Our Lord Catholic Church, Pensacola and both served in numerous leadership positions in the Parish. Dr. Holmer is survived by his wife, Winifred; sons, Matthew of New Orleans and Andrew of Gulf Breeze; daughters in law, Cynthia and Julie; grandchildren, Kathryn Sawyer, Jordan, Zachary, William and Jackson Holmer and great grandchildren, Thomas and Mackenzie Sawyer. The family would like to express their deepest gratitude to the nurses of Sacred Heart Hospital and caregivers from Covenant Hospice for the extraordinary respect and comfort they provided Don and our family in his last days with us. Visitation will be Tuesday, May 14, 2013 at 9am at St. Joseph's Cathedral, 412 North Street, Baton Rouge, LA, 70802 followed by a Funeral Mass at 10am and burial at Resthaven Gardens of Memory. A Memorial Mass will be celebrated at Nativity of Our Lord Catholic Church in Pensacola at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial donations to St. Joseph's Cathedral, 412 North Street, Baton Rouge, LA 70802 or Covenant Hospice, 5041 N. 12th Avenue, Pensacola, FL 32514.