Thomas Edward Holt

News Death Notice

HOLT, Thomas Edward Tom Holt passed away on April 13th after a long and valiant battle with cancer. Born in Hamilton, Ohio on October 8, 1939 to Harry and Ethel Holt, he will be remembered as a man of integrity who appreciated all that life had offered him. Born the son of a preacher and a homemaker, Tom enjoyed a simple childhood spent on the family farm. He was educated at the University of Cincinnati and served in the United States Air Force stationed in both Vietnam and the Philippines. After returning to the states he enjoyed a long career with IBM in Detroit, St. Louis and Salem, Oregon. Tom eventually tired of re-location with "I'll Be Moving" and followed his heart, becoming the proprietor of Sunshine Lawn and Garden Center in Indianapolis, Indiana closing the store only so that he could embark upon a happy post-career life in Santa Barbara. He pursued golf, fishing of any kind as often as possible and his "retirement jobs" at the tasting rooms of Bridlewood, Lucas & Llewellyn and most recently Melville wineries where he reveled in the camaraderie of those who love what the earth and some nurturing can create. Surviving him are his cherished son, Randy Holt of Morrow, Ohio and sister Doris Jean (Paul) Phelps, of Charlotte, North Carolina and his family in Santa Barbara, wife Joyce Wilson-Holt, step-daughters Leesa Wilson-Goldmuntz (David) and Loree Gold (Alan) and step-son Jerry Wilson. He also leaves behind his beloved grandchildren, the source of so much pride and joy, Kylie and Evan Holt, James, Gail, Sarah and Boo Goldmuntz and Madison and Alexis Gold. At Tom's directive, a private memorial will be held in Santa Barbara. For information, please contact dgoldmuntz@cox.net. In lieu of flowers, donations to honor Tom's memory may be made to The American Cancer Society's Atlanta Hope Lodge, www.atlantahopelodge.com or 1552 Shoup Court, Decatur, GA 30033, or Samsun Clinic Philanthropy, P.O. Box 1200, Santa Barbara, CA 93102