John William Holt

John William Holt II, 88, passed away on February 12, 2024.  He was born on December 10, 1935, in Falls City, NE to John William Holt and Juanita McClain Holt.  John, aka Skip, graduated high school in 1953 from Soldan Belwett in St. Louis, MO as senior class president.  He joined the Naval Reserve while in high school.  

John started college at Harris-Stowe Teachers College in St. Louis.  After spending two years at sea aboard a naval flagship on an Admiral’s staff, he returned to finish his college education at the University of Nebraska, graduating in 1960 with a degree in journalism.  John soon joined the Amarillo Daily News as a reporter.  From there he joined the Oklahoma City Times covering the state capital which included the Department of Transportation, later becoming the spokesman for the Highway Department.  From there he served as a public relations supervisor and spokesman for several energy-related businesses: Cities Services Gas Company; Williams Companies; Occidental Petroleum; and Kansas’ Wolf Creek Nuclear Operating Corporation.  

In the mid-1980s, John started his own business, Yard Gard.  He was also active as President of the Oklahoma Chapter of The University of Nebraska Alumni, Treasurer for their Sunday School class and Lakeview Neighborhood Association. John and Lois, his wife and companion of 56 years, were married in 1967 at Wesley Methodist Church.  

He was an avid golfer with 3 holes in one.  He also enjoyed sailing, tennis, snow skiing, bowling, and gardening.  John coached kids’ baseball, football, and basketball teams.  The family, including dogs, loved their yearly excursions to Cuchara, Colorado to read, relax, fish, and hike.  John is survived by his wife Lois, and sons Brian and Kirk.