Mr. Holmes was born Sept. 13, 1949, in Beaumont, Texas, to Lucy Holmes of Austin, Texas, and attended the University of Texas.

He worked for Luthier in Galesville, where he built acoustic guitars.

He served as a sergeant in the Air Force from 1969 to 1973, where he was a motion picture cameraman.

He was a member of Mensa of America.

Mr. Holmes was known for his many and diverse interests, and for his intelligence. He was a boat builder, made harpsichords and other stringed instruments, was a letterpress printer, an artisan-in-residence at St. John's College and a deck officer on a government research vessel, a captain and a sailor, and an electronic engineer. He invented and designed a binary clock and held two patents.

Survivors include his wife of 23 years, Charly Holmes; one daughter, Anne Mensch of Edgewater; one sister, Nancy Schoneback of Jeneau, Alaska; and three grandchildren.

A benefit concert will be held in his memory at a later date.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Schooner Restoration Fund, P.O. Box 245, Galesville, MD 20765.

William Kaufmann Sr.

William N. "Mr. Willie" Kaufmann Sr., a resident of Queenstown for 18 years and previously of Gambrills, died of pneumonia March 13 at Easton Memorial Hospital.

Mr. Kaufmann was born April 4, 1917, in Pasadena to the late Henry and Katherine Kaufmann, and graduated from Arundel High School in 1936.

He was the longtime owner of Kaufmann's Tavern in Gambrills.

Mr. Kaufmann served as a sergeant in the Army from 1941 to 1945, and was a member of Merrill's Marauders.

He was a member of the Arundel High School Hall of Fame for his baseball and soccer abilities, of the Gambrills Athletic Club and of the American Legion.

He was a Redskins and Orioles fan and enjoyed fishing and sports.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Florentine Catherine; and one brother, Henry Kaufmann.

Survivors include his companion of 16 years, Gertrude Hoskins; two sons, William N. Kaufmann Jr. of Milton, Del., and David A. Kaufmann of Queenstown; three grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.

Family and friends may visit form 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. tomorrow at Hardesty Funeral Home, 851 Annapolis Road in Gambrills.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at the funeral home. Interment will be in the Maryland Veterans Cemetery in Crownsville.

Memorial contributions may be made to the local American Legion Post.

Online condolences may be made at www.hardestyfuneralhome.com.

Andrea Pitts

Andrea Brown Pitts, 63, of Shady Side died of natural causes March 12 in her home.

Mrs. Pitts was born Dec. 6, 1944, in Indianapolis to Ernestine M. Brown, and earned a master's degree.

She was a clinical social worker for the government.

She was a member of Takoma Park Baptist Church in Washington, D.C.

Survivors include her husband, Wellington T. Pitts; two daughters, Nadirah "Nikki" and Erin K. Pitts; two sisters, Franzetta and Lauren M. Brown; and three grandchildren.

Family and friends may visit at 10 a.m. Tuesday, followed by a memorial celebration at 11 a.m., at Takoma Park Baptist Church, 635 Aspen St., N.W., in Washington, D.C.

Peggy Ramsey

Peggy Schmitt Ramsey, 83, a resident of Annapolis for 35 years, died March 11 at Anne Arundel Medical Center.

Mrs. Ramsey was born July 31, 1924, in Orlando, Fla., and attended schools in Florida and Ohio.

She was the national Commander of the Disabled American Veterans Auxiliary and was a member of St. Martin's Lutheran Church.

She enjoyed her book club and world wide travel; veterans were the focus of her life.

She was preceded in death by one brother, Jack Sumner.

Survivors include her husband of over 50 years, Joe F. Ramsey Jr.; one son, Carl F. Ramsey of Davidsonville; one daughter, Carol L. Cicconi of Annapolis; five grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

A celebration of her life will be held at noon tomorrow at St. Martin's Lutheran Church, 1120 Spa Road in Annapolis.

Interment will be in the Maryland Veterans Cemetery in Crownsville. Arrangements are by Kalas Funeral Home.

Memorial contributions may be made to a cancer research organization or to a charity of one's choice.

Online condolences may be made at www.kalasfuneralhomes.com.

Walter Truax Jr.

Walter A. Truax Jr., 78, a resident of Severna Park since 1964, died of respiratory failure March 14 in his home.

Mr. Truax was born July 14, 1929, in Utica, N.Y.

He worked for United Air Lines at the former Friendship Airport from 1957 until his retirement in 1988. In 1983, he coordinated the travels of the Naval Academy for the Army-Navy game in Pasadena, Calif., which involved transferring the 4400 Brigade of Midshipmen and the associated services in 17 aircraft. Both the Superintendent of the Academy and the Chairman of United Airlines awarded recognition for an operation in a "flawless manner."

He served in the Air Force from 1948 to 1955; at the outbreak of the Korean War he was a cryptographer in Omaha, Neb., and was later transferred to England.

He was a co-founder of the Annapolis Sailing Society and was member of the Olde Severna Park Improvement Association for the past 41 years, serving on the Board for several years and as President for three. He was recognized as "Man of the Year" in 1980 at the annual Greater Severna Park Community Awards Ceremony. He was also a member of the American Legion, Knights of Columbus, Glen Burnie J.C's, and was an officer for many years in the Friendship Airport Manager's Club.

He participated in the sponsorship program at the Naval Academy and became a mentor for many Midshipmen. He loved sailing in the Chesapeake, and obtained his Coast Guard Captains license. For several years he would Captain and charter the Morgan 41's or 46 in the Caribbean.

Survivors include his wife of over 50 years, Abbie Reh Truax; one son, Walter "Buddy" Truax III of McKinney, Texas; three daughters, Mary Ellen Ruddick of Fort Meyers Beach, Fla., Linda L. Truax of Severna Park and Ann Barry Vazquez of Gambrills; one brother, Charles Barry Truax of Ruxton; and two grand-children.

Family and friends may visit from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. tomorrow at Barranco and Sons Severna Park Funeral Home, 495 Ritchie Highway.

A funeral Mass will be offered at 10 a.m. Tuesday at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church, 689 Ritchie Highway in Severna Park.

Memorial Contributions may be made to Olde Severna Park Improvement Association, P.O. Box 345, Severna Park, MD 21146.