Judge Jack Holt

Judge Jack Holt

Services celebrating the life of Judge Jack Holt will be held at 2:00 p.m., Friday, June 28, 2013 at First Baptist Church, Pineville with Brother Wayne Kite, Dr. Stewart Holloway and Brother Alton Hawk officiating. Burial will be in Greenwood Memorial Park, under the direction of Hixson Brothers, Pineville.

The family asks that visitation be observed Thursday, June 27, 2013 at Hixson Brothers, Pineville from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. Visitation will also be held prior to the funeral service at First Baptist Church on Friday at 12:30 p.m. until time of service.

Judge Jack Holt, 89, of Pineville passed away peacefully into the arms of Jesus surrounded by his family on Tuesday evening June 25th, 2013.

Judge Holt was born April 12, 1924 in Jena, Louisiana to Bob and Eva Russell Holt. He was reared and educated in Pollock, LA. He graduated from Pollock High School and attended Louisiana College and LSU. Before graduating he enlisted in the US Army Air Corp to serve in World War II. He became a B-24 pilot and was stationed in England. He flew in the last bombing mission flown over Germany in World War II. Returning home he married his sweetheart, Mary Rose Beatty, from Middletown, Ohio. He continued his military career two more years and was honorably discharged with the rank of Captain.

Completing his undergraduate degree from Louisiana College, he and Mary Rose moved to New Orleans, where he earned his juris doctorate from Tulane University with honors in 1951. He then established a law practice in Alexandria and later he was elected Pineville's first City Court Judge, establishing the city court system. He was the youngest judge ever elected in State of Louisiana, serving for 20 years before retiring.

Judge Holt was first and foremost a servant of Jesus Christ. He is a member of First Baptist Church, Pineville, where he served as a deacon. He considered evangelism his highest calling, sharing the Good News with many people. The highpoint of his spiritual life was his role as chairman for the Crusade of Christ revival held at Rapides Parish Coliseum in 1966.

Jack was an active civic and business leader involved with Union Federal, Alpine City and Timberland Corp., as well as numerous civic organizations.

Jack had strong loyalty to God, Country and family. All his family and especially his grandchildren, revered him as their spiritual leader. He will be greatly missed by all.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Robert and Eva Holt; brother, Ben F. Holt.

Those left to cherish his memory include his wife of 68 years, Mary Rose Beatty Holt; daughter, Carol Holt Edwards; son, Robert Earl Holt and wife, Katherine; daughter, Shirley Holt Ryland and husband, Mike; ten grandchildren, seven great grandchildren and one great grandchild.

Pallbearers honored to serve will be his grandsons, Mark David Bowers, Stephen Brent Bowers, Daniel Buck Holt, Graham Jack Holt, Noah C. Holt and great grandson, Garrett David Bowers. Honorary pallbearers will be George Williams, Dr. David McGraw, John E. Walker, Willis West, James Stewart and Ricardo Williams.

To extend online condolences to the Holt family, please visit us at www.hixsonbrothers.com.

Memorials may be made to the Main Street Baptist Mission, 312 Main Street, Pineville, LA 71360