Rev. Melvin Ray Holt

Rev.  Melvin Ray Holt obituary, East Cleveland, OH

FUNERAL HOME

Brown-Forward Funeral Home - Shaker Heights

17022 Chagrin Blvd.

Cleveland, Ohio

Melvin Holt Obituary

Melvin Ray Holt



The Rev. Melvin Ray Holt, Sr. was the eighth of nine children born to Melvin and Nancy Holt of Robeline, La. He graduated from Coushatta High School, earned a Bachelor of Religion from Centenary College of Louisiana and the Master of Divinity degree from Perkins School of Theology at Southern Methodist Church in June of 1961.

Ray Holt was a missionary to the Philippines where he served the Aeta people group in northern Luzon. He also preached, mentored young pastors and served the Philippine people in disaster relief. He became the first nonnative to be invited to membership in Philippine Language Society.

Ray served 14 different churches as a student pastor, associate pastor, senior pastor and "retired" pastor in Texas, Louisiana and Ohio.

Ray was a dedicated scout, serving as an Assistant Scout Master and a Cub Scout pack master. His proudest and most personal accomplishment was the establishment and leadership of a troop for handicapped scouts at St. Marks UMC in Monroe, La. For his love and service to Scouting, Ray was awarded the Catholic Bronze Pelican and the Silver Beaver.

After retiring from full time ministry, Ray became involved in Walk to Emmaus, its youth program, Chrysalis, and Kairos prison ministry.

Ray was a musician who grew up singing gospel with his parents and his many siblings. He taught himself guitar as a young pastor and then studied classical guitar in the Philippines. Through the last years of his life he continued to pursue musical interests, singing in The Church of The Saviour Choir and trying his hand at mountain dulcimer and dobro.

Ray married his beloved wife of 57 years, Elizabeth Jones, in 1956. They raised 4 sons. He was the dear father of Melvin Ray, Jr.,(Julie), Michael R. (Cindy), David P. (Julie) and Charlie G.; dear grandfather of Catherine, Carolyn, Drew and Micheal; dear brother of Donald G., Sr. (Elsie) and the late Melvin D., Jr, James, Roy, Jack, Tommie Sylvest, Lola Donaho and Ledi Freeman. He is also survived by several nieces and nephews. Those who wish may make contributions in his name to General Board of Global Ministries, The United Methodist Church, for the Philippines, 475 Riverside Drive, New York, New York 10115; Kairos Prison Ministry of Ohio, PO Box 14490, Columbus, OH 43214-0490; The Boy Scouts of America, 2241 Woodland Ave, Cleveland, OH 44115 or The Church of The Saviour, 2537 Lee Rd., Cleveland Hts., OH 44118, where Funeral Services will be held Monday, Feb. 17th at 4 PM. FRIENDS MAY CALL AT BROWN-FORWARD, 17022 CHAGRIN BLVD., SHAKER HTS., OH, SUNDAY, FEB. 16TH FROM 3-5 PM. For additional information, directions and to sign the guestbook, please log online to www.Brown-Forward.com.

BROWN-FORWARD SERVICE 216 752-1200

Published by Shreveport Times on Feb. 16, 2014.
34465541-95D0-45B0-BEEB-B9E0361A315A

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Memories and Condolences
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Remembering fondly and with the utmost respect this very special man, who served others in so many ways. Knew Ray mainly as a fellow bass in the sanctuary choir at Church of the Saviour, but also as friend.

Steve diLauro

February 5, 2022

I am so thankful for all the genealogy knowledge that he worked so hard for and shared with all of us.

Dean Lambert

March 6, 2014

Sorry for your loss, My deepest sympathy to the family of Rev. Holt. We hope that you will be comforted by your memories of him and God will bring you peace.

Terry Brown

February 17, 2014

Our thoughts and prayers are with your family. May your memories bring you comfort and through God's grace, may we always feel Ray's spirit walking among us.

Mike & Bonnie Richard

February 17, 2014

To the Holt family, may our Lord Jesus Christ and God our Father comfort your hearts in this time of loss. His smiling photo on this website is just luminous, and I know he is rejoicing in Heaven with his Lord. I praise God for his life and legacy.
Barbara Hoshiko

February 17, 2014

Our deepest sympathy to the Holt family.

February 16, 2014

Lo siento por su perdida

dannis lopez

February 16, 2014

My thoughts and prayers are with you all.

Donna Short Wiggins

February 16, 2014

My love for Ray, and his family, is deep. When he and Elizabeth first came to Cleveland and Church of the Saviour, I was playing handbells and singing in the choir. I met Ray and Elizabeth on the same day and decided they were going to be my extended family from that moment on. Ray's love for God and church were deep and contagious. I am a better Christian because of Ray's constant witness to God and all of His abilities in our lives. He will sorely be missed.

Parthenia McClain

February 15, 2014

"Rev. Ray" was a true inspiration to me and, I believe, everyone fortunate to have known him. Despite his considerable health problems, he always exhibited a positive outlook. Even in his later years, when a lesser man might rest on his earlier accomplishments, Ray remained active in his many Christian endeavors. On a personal note, Ray was perhaps the most truly inspired singer of Christian music that I have known, and I and the rest of our chancel choir will greatly miss his presence.

Steve diLauro

February 15, 2014

I am very sorry to hear or Reverend Holt's death. I always enjoyed chatting with him when he brought his car in for service. My deepest sympathy to the family.

Richard Hollis

February 15, 2014

Ray Holt truly was a Methodist man of God. I graduated from high school with him and knew of his love for the church through his service at the Carroll Creek Methodist Church near Coushatta--then on to Centenary. It was a pleasure to see him from time to time in later years. Laurine Strother Adcock

Laurine Adcock

February 14, 2014

Melvin, please know that you and your family are in our thoughts and prayers at this time of loss. May the peace of God that passes all understanding be your portion, His grace and strength sustain you in these difficult times.

David & Sue Slabaugh

February 14, 2014

Raymond Nails

February 14, 2014

So sorry to learn of the death of high-school classmate Ray Holt. Keeping his family in my thoughts and my prayers.

February 14, 2014

If you're lucky, you might meet a man of God once in your lifetime. We were so blessed. Our deepest sympathy to the Holt family. Love, Denise & Jim Nice

February 13, 2014

I grew up knowing American missionaries serving in the Philippines and I was blessed by their lives and dedication. So when my family and I met you and Elizabeth, it brought back those wonderful memories and I'm truly grateful you served in the Philippines.

Carolyn Advincula

February 13, 2014

So sorry for your loss. Praying for peace and comfort for you all during this time.

Allen Rowell

February 13, 2014

Pam Ebarb

February 12, 2014

Frankie Smith

February 12, 2014

What a wonderful legacy he leaves for his family. Your family is in my thoughts and prayers.

Kelly Leach

February 12, 2014

Dear Elizabeth and Boys,
Know You All are in My Prayers! Ray Married me, Heard my Confession of Salvation, and Baptized me in Nebo while he was Pastor at FUMC in Ringgold! He was a Good Christian Man and a Pastor that lived in The Real World! He is singing for The Father and The Son!" How Great Thou Art" has never sounded better in Heaven! God Bless and Keep and Grant you All The Peace That Passes ALL Understanding. Mary Pate Mc Mullen

Mary Pate McMullen

February 12, 2014

I work with Melvin and know through him that his dad must have been someone really special. So sorry for your loss.

Brian Walker

February 12, 2014

Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you during this difficult time. What a legacy Uncle Ray has left us to follow. Such precious memories - so thankful he was my Uncle. Love you, Aunt Liz, praying that you will feel God holding you closely in His hand especially at this time in your life.

February 12, 2014

Pam Ebarb

February 12, 2014

Hope y'all know my heart is there with you. I love you all.

Pam Ebarb

February 12, 2014

To Mrs. Holt, Melvin, Michael, Charlie, and David:
Please know that you will be in the thoughts and prayers of the Wills family. Your husband and father was one of the nicest people Lisa and I had the privilege of knowing. Rev. Holt was born to be a pastor and now his rest is won. Take courage knowing he is at peace and preparing a room for all of us. "May the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, guard your hearts and your minds in Jesus Christ."

Malcolm Wills

February 11, 2014

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