John William Holt

Surrounded by his family, Salt Lake City business and community leader, John William Holt, passed away peacefully on August 17th of natural causes. John was predeceased six months ago by his loving wife of nearly seventy-five years, Marilyn R. Holt. Born on July 18, 1927 in West Point, Utah, John embodied the positive characteristics of hard work and honesty learned through his experiences on the family farm and from his parents, Lawrence Edward Holt and Verna Caroline Clark.

He was a senior class officer at Davis High school, where he graduated in 1945. He immediately enlisted in the Navy and became a Petty Officer Third Class during the final year of World War Two. After the war, he stayed with the Naval Reserve until 1950. John joined the US Air Force that same year and received his commission as Second Lieutenant, memorably from General Dwight D. Eisenhower. John was also an honorary member of the Arnold Air Society.

Upon leaving the Armed Forces John earned a BS in Industrial Management from the University of Utah in 1951. While there he was a member of the Sigma Nu fraternity. His career with Packaging Corporation of America in Salt Lake City began in 1951, where he first worked in sales and service. In 1955 he was promoted to corporate sales, and in 1962 moved to San Francisco with his wife, Marilyn, and their three children. In 1964 John and his family moved back to Salt Lake City where he became the Sales Manager of PCA. He finally became the company’s Plant General Manager in 1966, a position he held until his retirement in 1992.

John’s community leadership and service included positions as Vice President and President of the Utah Manufacturers Association and the Salt Lake Area Chamber of Commerce. He was a member of the Salt Lake Rotary Club, serving as a Vice President (1976–77 and 1981–82). From 1983 to 1984 he was First Vice President, and from 1984 to 1985 he served as President. He was a Rotary International Paul Harris Fellow and Salt Lake Rotary Foundation Richard L. Evans Fellow. He served on two State of Utah Governor’s Committees, one on Executive Reorganization appointed by Governor Scott Matheson, and a Special Blue-Ribbon Committee on Judicial Compensation appointed by Governor Norm Bangerter.

His additional volunteer contributions, too many to list here fully, included board and committee memberships and campaign and event chairmanships for a number of Salt Lake area institutions, organizations, and local chapters of foundations involving healthcare, education, and the arts. These included Holy Cross, LDS, and Primary Children’s Hospitals; Community Health Charities of Utah Foundation, United Way, Red Cross, Arthritis Foundation, American Cancer Society, Autism Society of Utah, and the YMCA; University of Utah College of Fine Arts, College of Business, the Natural History Museum of Utah, and Rowland Hall-St. Mark’s School; and the Utah Symphony, Rocky Mountain Regional Theater, Salt Lake Art Center, and KTVX Television News.

John was gregarious and physically active throughout his life, skiing with friends into his mid-eighties. He enjoyed golf and was a member of the Fort Douglas Hidden Valley Country Club in Salt Lake City and the Star Valley Country Club in Thayne, Wyoming. He loved working in his yard, walking, and spending time with friends and family.

He was devoted, loving, and generous, both toward his parents and siblings (Lois Flint and Clark Holt---now deceased), and especially to his wife, Marilyn, and their three children, Ann, David, and Karen. His affection, support, and encouragement enabled everyone in the family to flourish.

He is survived by his children Ann (Annie) Holt (Don Gomes), David Holt (Judith Newman), and Karen Holt Bennion (Douglas Neal Bennion).

His family wishes to thank his several patient and dedicated caregivers and home medical professionals from Right at Home, ComForCare, Bristol Hospice, and Legacy House. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his memory to any one of the charitable foundations listed above and/or to the Meals on Wheels Program of Salt Lake County Aging and Adult Services. You may also go to Larkin Sunset Lawn's website (larkinmortuary.com) to offer condolences and to download pictures and stories. Family and friends are invited to a joint graveside service for both John and Marilyn at West Point Cemetery in West Point, Utah, which will take place Wednesday, August 28 at 11 am.