Joseph Newton Holt

Joseph Newton Holt, 91, a retired veterinarian, passed away Monday, May 2, 2005.

Memorial service: 3 p.m. Wednesday at First Presbyterian Church, Fort Worth. Interment at 2 p.m. Saturday in Holt Cemetery, Holt Community, Hutchinson County.

Memorials: May be sent to Holt Cemetery Association, 906 S. Bernice, Spearman, Texas 79081; the Presbyterian Night Shelter, 1500 Presidio St., Fort Worth, Texas 76102; or a charity of choice.

Dr. Joseph Newton Holt was born Aug. 29, 1913, in the Holt Community, Hutchinson County, to Mr. and Mrs. Benjamin Calvin Holt. He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife of 52 years, two brothers and two sisters.

He graduated from Spearman High School and attended college at what is now West Texas A&M University in Canyon. He married Ruth Charlotte Park in 1932 and moved to Missouri, where he graduated from the University of Missouri in Columbia. He was employed for seven years as a county agent in Missouri before entering veterinary school at Kansas State University. He received his doctor of veterinary medicine and graduated as a member of Phi Zeta, the honor society for veterinary medicine. Upon graduation, he moved his family to Dallas, where he opened Holt Veterinary Hospital on Yale Blvd. He was an active member of the Dallas County Veterinary Medical Association and also served as president. He also belonged to the Texas Veterinary Medical Association and the American Veterinary Medical Association. Dr. Holt was an active member of Highland Park Methodist Church, past president of the 50-50 Sunday School Class, past member of the board of stewards, past president of the Mr. and Mrs. Sunday School Class.

Newton Holt had a wonderful, caring spirit. He spent his time after retirement participating in the pastoral care program at Highland Park Methodist Church by calling on and assisting the homebound, helping the church intern ministers develop their talents and taking individuals from Dickinson Place grocery shopping. Following the death of his wife, he moved to Fort Worth and began again helping with church programs at First Presbyterian Church and making sandwiches for the homeless. He had a wonderful attitude and set an example for others to follow.

Survivors: His daughters, Jo Ann Holt Norton and Barbara Sue Holt Beyer; brother, Nolan Holt of Spearman; son-in-law, Dee H. Norton Jr.; grandchildren, Stephen Norton, Michael Norton, Cynthia McAndrew, Bill Blocker, Sue Ann Peck, Robert Blocker, Rebecca Blocker; 12 great-grandchildren; and his wonderful friend, Mrs. Deanie Valder.