Great parents for Jayce

Kassi Jackson

Friday, June 14, 2019

While most seniors spend their retirement years relaxing, Carl and Donna Holmes are spending theirs raising their great-grandson, Jayce. Across an age difference of 65 years, Carl, 70, and his wife Donna, 65, care for Jayce, 5, who lost his mother to the opioid epidemic about two years ago. Here are moments from their day Tuesday, June 11, 2019, in Jackson.

Carl Holmes catches his great-grandson Jayce Holmes, 5, as he slides down off his lap while Jayce's new pet hamster "Cuddles" crawls on Carl's arm out on their back patio Tuesday, June 11, 2019, in Jackson. (Kassi Jackson ~ Southeast Missourian)
Carl Holmes shows his great-grandson Jayce Holmes, 5, how to safely close a pocket knife at their home Tuesday, June 11, 2019, in Jackson. (Kassi Jackson ~ Southeast Missourian)
Carl Holmes looks at his great-grandson Jayce Holmes, 5, as he shuts his truck door after strapping Jayce in on their way to get haircuts Tuesday, June 11, 2019, in Jackson. (Kassi Jackson ~ Southeast Missourian)
Jayce Holmes, 5, points to a photo of him and his mother, Daisha, resting on the headboard of his bed Tuesday, June 11, 2019, in Jackson. Daisha, like millions of other Americans, found herself caught in the ever-present opioid epidemic and overdosed when Jayce was just three years old. (Kassi Jackson ~ Southeast Missourian)

Carl Holmes gets his hair cut by Jo Altom in the station next to his great-grandson Jayce Holmes, 5, at Great Clips Tuesday, June 11, 2019, in Jackson. (Kassi Jackson ~ Southeast Missourian)
Carl Holmes loads his great-grandson Jayce Holmes's, 5, bike into the back of his truck after Jayce spent part of the afternoon riding around Safety City USA at City Park Tuesday, June 11, 2019, in Jackson. (Kassi Jackson ~ Southeast Missourian)
Jayce Holmes, 5, laughs after an exchange with his great-grandpa Carl Holmes while spending the afternoon at Safety City USA at City Park Tuesday, June 11, 2019, in Jackson. (Kassi Jackson ~ Southeast Missourian)