Richard Holmes was born in Ogden, Utah. When he was 11 years old his family bought a ranch in Eastern Oregon, and he graduated from North Powder High School. After serving a mission for the LDS church in Australia, Richard earned both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in special education from Utah State University. He has worked in the Washington County School District his entire career, first as a Special Education teacher at Pine View Middle School then as an administrator in many elementary and secondary schools in Washington County School District. Richard has worked at the District level for 15 years as Executive Director and Assistant Superintendent. He and his wife, Marnae Holmes, have 5 children and 11 grandchildren.