On September 28, 2024, Jap M. Holt went to his Heavenly Home. He was born on February 22, 1935, in Mountain View Arkansas to William Holt and Lena Holt
(Jeffries). William and Lena had eight children; Clinton (Jack), Rueben (Jake), Isabelle, Edwin, Jessie, Flossie, Jap, and Joe C. (J.C.). In the early 1950s, Jap
followed his older brothers and sisters north to Illinois to work in a factory for a steady paycheck.
Jap met Patricia Shultz in Cordova, Illinois, they married and had four children; Teresa, Greg, Joni, and Kevin. They raised the four of them in rural Hillsdale near
Joslin in the old Willow Vale schoolhouse which Jap worked on and renovated continuously. It was home for many years and had many custom-built fixtures and
hand-carved accents. He and Pat parted ways in the early 1980s.
Jap then married Patti Baxter and they lived in the Quad Cities including the house in Hillsdale. They had one child, Jessica, who resides in Heber Springs Arkansas. Jap retired from International Harvester in East Moline, Illinois over 30 years ago. He moved back to Mt. View Arkansas to live out his retirement years where he met and married Beverly. They lived across the road from Jap’s childhood home and schoolhouse near Star Gap outside of Mt. View. He loved being outdoors; “puttering” around in the garage, mowing grass, cutting wood, and maintaining his property. They enjoyed music, dancing, and traveling to include Hawaii and a Caribbean cruise. Jap enjoyed going to the Senior Center in Mt. View to visit with friends and eat lunch; there was rarely a day they missed going and he made many friends and memories.
He was a “jack of all trades” and could build, make, or fix anything. He was known for his woodworking skills and his storytelling. His stories were of his life and
people he knew or encountered. They almost always concluded with a punchline and him laughing—he always found humor in life. One of his granddaughters once said, “His laugh when he told a funny story was my favorite.”
Jap passed away peacefully and is reunited with family and friends who have gone on before him. He had a wonderful life and leaves behind a lifetime of fond
memories, hard work, laughter, and family and friends who will miss him dearly. His extensive family including nephews, nieces, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, considers themselves blessed to have had him in their lives and the memories are endless and will last forever.
A Celebration of Life will be held on November 16, 2024, at the Mt. View Senior Center from 11 AM to 1 PM. Food and refreshments will be provided. The eulogy
will be read immediately following the celebration.
