Gordon Edward Holt

Gordon Edward Holt, known by all who loved him as Gordy, passed away peacefully, at the age of 86, surrounded by his family on April 14, 2025.

He was born February 2, 1939 in Salt Lake City to Gordon Crosbie and June Moss Holt. The oldest of five children, Gordy learned how to work hard and by the age of 17 had earned his pilot’s license. Gordy loved to fly the Mooney Mark 20A plane, his most memorable flight was taking his parents to the World’s Fair in Seattle.

Gordy graduated from East High School and the University of Utah with a degree in finance.

Gordy was a devoted member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and served in many leadership callings and a mission to Australia from 1959-1961. He was one of the first missionaries to serve on Thursday Island. A part of his service involved teaching basketball to local youth and his experience is recorded in the book titled Mormon Yankees.

Gordy joined the Utah National Guard and served in the 11th Artillery Corps for six years, including a memorable year at Fort Hood Texas with the 3^rd Armored Division. While on leave over the holidays, he went on a blind date with a “petite blonde firecracker” who later became his wife of more than 60 years.

He married Carolyn Marie Lerdahl in the Manti LDS Temple March 16, 1963. In Jan 1972 while helping with a search and rescue mission, Gordy was involved in a life-altering plane crash. Not only did he survive the crash but miraculously regained the ability to walk. Friends and family rallied around the Holts to care for their three young children and help with financial obligations while Carolyn attended to Gordy. Together, Carolyn and Gordy lived a full life and raised a wonderful family; Tony, Shelly, Crelly, Billy, Codi and Terry were blessed to call them mom & dad. He enjoyed spending time in Oakley and Park City and no summer was complete without a family trip to Laguna Beach California.

Gordy worked with his father at Holt-Webber Real Estate for 10 years followed by 28 years at Zions First National Bank. He worked in accounting, auditing, the holding company and the investment departments. After “retirement”, Gordy accepted a volunteer assignment with the Small Business Administration working with SCORE (Service Corp of Retired Executives) and later went on to create Utah Business Lending where he provided loans of all amounts to budding entrepreneurs, inventors and refugees. He was especially proud of financing loans for sewing machines and a bread baking business.

Gordy spent countless hours volunteering with the Juvenile Court. For over 50 years he served on the board of Youth Inc., the 2^nd District Advisory Committee and the State Advisory Committee. He believed in second chances and through his work with the juvenile court system he had a positive impact on the lives of countless youth. Whether serving his community, his church or his family, Gordy’s kind and gentle heart, distinct laugh, and unfailing love were ever present and will be greatly missed.

Gordy is survived by his sister Sandie (Ken) Peay, brothers Michael (Kathy), John (Aleen), and Richard (Keri) Holt, children Tony, Shelly, Bill (Emily) Erickson, Codi Lindberg, and Terry, and many beloved grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, wife Carolyn, and daughter Crelly.

Funeral services will be held at Larkin Sunset Lawn, 2350 East 1300 South in Salt Lake City, UT 84108. Respects can be paid at a viewing on April 20th from 6-8pm and April 21st from 10-11am. Funeral services will be held April 21st at 11am with interment at Larkin Sunset Lawn cemetery immediately following the service.

For those unable to attend the service in person, the family invites you to join via Zoom. Please click on the Watch Service button above to join the meeting.

We would like to express our sincerest thanks to the staff at Barton Creek Assisted Living in Bountiful and Symbii Home Health & Hospice for the wonderful care they provided to Gordy.