Henry Walter Holt

FAYETTEVILLE - Henry Walter Holt, 78 of Fayetteville, NC went home to be with his Lord, Jesus Christ on Saturday, August 11, 2018.
Henry was born March 9, 1940 in Fayetteville, NC to William deRosset Holt, Sr. and Hannah Picket Lilly Holt. Henry was the third of three boys. He spent most of his life right in the city he loved, Fayetteville, NC. He attended Fayetteville High School and finished his high school career at Miller Military Academy. After Miller, Henry attended Campbell College then returned to Fayetteville, where he lived and worked until his death.

Henry was a lifelong member of St. John's Episcopal Church, serving as an acolyte, youth advisor, Sunday School teacher and member of the Vestry. On Sundays, he attended the 8:00 am Morning Prayer service, not seeing it as a duty, but an honor to worship his LORD. 
He was a devoted husband of 53 years to his lovely wife Janet Cashwell Holt. He also enjoyed raising two boys; who, eventually came home to work with Henry in their family business, Holt Oil Company. Until the last few months of Henry's life, you would find him at 5:30am, sitting at his desk, drinking his coffee and doing his Bible study. This pattern was repeated 7 days a week, 365 days per year. Next to God and his family, Holt Oil Company was the biggest love of his life.

Henry loved his community and served on many boards. He enjoyed committing his time to organizations such as the Amoco/BP Marketers Advisory Board, YMCA, Crown Coliseum, Convention and Visitors Bureau, Home Federal Savings and Loan and several other boards. His largest passion was for those who serve and served in the military, especially those associated with Ft. Bragg. He served several years on the Military Affairs Committee and would attend any and all events hosted by Ft. Bragg. Later in his life he would play a fundamental roll in the foundation of the Airborne & Special Operations Museum in downtown Fayetteville. He served in several capacities. Henry had roles in the creation & fundraising for the museum. He eventually served several years as president of the museum. Henry loved those who put their lives on the line for their country. He felt this was a small gesture on his part to say thank you.

Throughout Henry's life he enjoyed hunting quail and ducks and fishing with family and friends. As a young man, Henry found the one sport he enjoyed for the rest of his life; golf. In the waning days of his life, when strength would match his willing spirit, you would find him sitting on his back porch overlooking the number five green of Highland Country Club. He would sit and watch "his" geese and the golfers playing through. It always brought a smile to his face when his golfing buddies would stop by to say hello.
Henry's father was a founding member of Highland Country Club and Henry a lifelong member. He loved Highland, serving on the board for several terms. If Highland was his second home, then the Men's Cardroom was his den. He was present every day of the week. He was there to share borderline truthful stories and enjoy fellowship with his Card Room Buddies. At the Men's Cardroom, you never let the truth get in the way of a good story. Dad loved all the good-natured ribbing that was present every day.

As his sons, writing this obituary about our dad, we can only convey this; how much our father touched the lives of others, selflessly. We had countless people and staff members at Highland who would come up and tell us, "Your father is the most loved man at Highland Country Club." or, "Do you know how many people he helped and never asked for a single thing in return?" All we are left to say is, our father was a great man of character and kindness. He helped many people and never asked or looked for any type of recognition. He was an example of a Christian life well lived, in the service of his King. We know his Lord welcomed him with, "Well done my good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master."

Henry is survived by his wife Janet, his sons Henry Walter, Jr. and his wife Julia, their two daughters, Lilly and Sarah, and his younger son William deRosset Holt, II and his wife Holland and his two stepsons, McKoy and Charles. Henry was proceeded in death by his two brothers, William deRosset Holt, Jr. and Charles Baltimore Calvert Holt; as well as, his parents William deRosset Holt, Sr. and Hannah Picket Lilly Holt.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks donations to be made to the:

AIRBORNE & SPECIAL OPERATIONS FOUNDATION                                                                                                                                                      100 Bragg Blvd.                                                                                                                                                                                                        Fayetteville, NC 28301

or via their website, www.asomf.org 
 

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