Holt Johnson Redmond, age nine, passed away on February 12, 2026, leaving behind a world made brighter by his presence. Born on October 16, 2016, in Chattanooga, Tennessee, Holt brought warmth, wonder, and a quiet kind of magic into the lives of those who loved him most.
The family name Holt means "of the woods," and there could not have been a more fitting name for this beautiful boy. He felt most at home outdoors — biking along trails, hiking beneath the trees, boating on open water, and kiddo wakeboarding with pure joy shining across his face. Sunshine seemed to follow him, and he had a way of turning even simple days into small adventures.
Holt loved reading and exploring new worlds in his own thoughtful way. He lived with profound special needs and used LAMP assistive technology to speak and communicate. Through it, he shared his humor, preferences, curiosity, and unmistakable personality. His voice — expressed in his own unique way — was strong, determined, and full of light. Those who truly listened were always better for it.
He was a devoted big brother to Matthew Johnson Redmond, age eight, just one year his junior. Their bond was filled with laughter, closeness, and the kind of love only brothers understand. Holt loved his brother wholeheartedly and without hesitation.
Holt is deeply loved by his widowed mother, Azurae Johnson Redmond, and his brother, Matthew Johnson Redmond. He joins his beloved father, Matthew Holt Redmond, who passed away from lung cancer at the age of 32 in 2017, in eternal peace. He also leaves behind his wonderful service dog, Winter, whose loyal companionship was a steady source of comfort and love throughout his life.
Funeral services for Holt were held privately outdoors with only immediate family, honoring his deep love for nature and simplicity. In keeping with that love, his ashes were spread in nature by his younger brother, Matthew Johnson Redmond.
In lieu of flowers, the mother kindly requests that donations be made to Signal Centers Inc., the nonprofit organization that gave Holt his voice through LAMP assistive technology and supported him graciously for many years.
Though his time on earth was far too short, Holt's life was full — full of fresh air, spinning wheels, splashing water, and a love that ran steady and deep. His adventurous spirit and bright light will continue to echo in the woods he loved and in the hearts of those who carry him forward.