Carl E. Holt, Sr. passed away June 5, 2023.
Carl was born January 27, 1935, to J.W. “ Bill” and Lavinia (Danner) Holt in Shawnee, Ok.
Carl graduated midterm from Shawnee High School with the class of 1953.
He joined the U.S. Air Force and proudly served his country for 21 years before retiring in 1974. He served in Texas, Oklahoma, Utah, Southeast Asia (Thailand), and Tooley Greenland.
After his retirement from the military he returned to Shawnee, where he entered a career of banking and sports officiating mainly in football for Junior High, High School, and College sports. Carl’s expertise led him halfway around the world when he was chosen to officiate the Downunder Games in Brisbane, Australia in 1986. Russia sent a team to Oklahoma City and Carl was asked to monitor that game with “The Russian Bears.” He obtained his private pilot license, bought a Cessna plane and enjoyed trips to Utah to see family.
He married Ruby D. Deatherage Skillings on March 30, 1985, in Shawnee, OK.
He was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers: Don (Norma) Holt and Jack (Pat) Holt; one sister: Mariella Holt-Russell; nephew: Ricky Holt; and niece: Becky Snider.
Those left to cherish his memory are his wife, Ruby D. Holt of the home; five sons and daughters- in-law, Dr. Carl (Kim) Holt of Vincennes, IN, David (Beth) Holt of Willard, UT, Chuck (Jeanie) Skillings of Shawnee, OK, Ben (Rhonda) Skillings of New Brunswick, GA and Chris (Debbie) Skillings of Shawnee, OK; 17 grandchildren; numerous great-grandchildren; and many loving friends and extended family.
Services were held June 10, 2023 at Highland Church of Christ in Tecumseh with Michael Kelsey officiating. Burial followed at Fairview Cemetery Pavilion in Shawnee under the direction of Cooper Funeral Home of Tecumseh.
