of Little Rock, AR
October 20, 1940 - May 10, 2016
Mr. Barry L. Holt, of Little Rock, Arkansas passed away on Tuesday, May 10, 2016 at the age of 75. He was born on October 20, 1940 in St. Louis, Missouri, the son of Alfred Milford and Edith Elizabeth Holt. Barry had a large family whom he loved and was blessed to have their love. He was married to Patricia Holt on August 31, 1963, and they loved and supported each other until Patricia preceded him in death on January 16, 2001.
Barry is survived by two sons, Todd Holt (Terri) of Little Rock and Jon Holt (Nana) of Portland, Oregon, and three grandsons: Clark and Harper Holt of Little Rock and Ty Holt of Portland, Oregon.
He is also survived by his wife, Alice Davidson. Barry was a member of the St. James United Methodist Church where he met Alice, with whom he would find a new love and renewed love of life. Alice and Barry were married on February 13, 2005. With Alice, her son Darwin Davidson and his wife Li, and most recently little baby, Lia Mae Davidson, Barry enjoyed being surrounded by even more family and love.
After graduating Kirkwood High School and then, later graduating from Drury College in 1963, Barry began his career working for the Oscar Meyer company. In 1965, he moved his family to Little Rock, where he lived most of his life. As a sales representative for the company, he often travelled the Arkansas region and some surrounding states. Barry's work for Oscar Meyer often meant regularly visiting store managers and members of the stores' meat departments, men and women who could intuit Barry was coming. "His voice really carries," it was said of him. "There goes your father," they would tell his son, who would try to keep up with him on store visits. Occasionally, Barry had the joy of coordinating local Weinermobile promotional visits.
Over time, Barry rose and achieved distinction within the company, winning sales awards, working again for its new parent company, Kraft Foods. After retiring from Kraft he started his own company, Empire Marketing, which helped privately owned businesses forge successful partnerships with Wal-Mart. In his later years, he was especially pleased to be associated with Superior Lamb & Veal and The Fishin' Company.
Although Barry was reluctant to fully retire from his work and business, in the past few years he found enjoyment in appreciating a quiet life at home. He became a master gardener, often volunteering to help with landscaping around War Memorial Stadium. He was a lifelong sports fan and regularly attended Razorback football games with Alice. He also had a great love of fishing, and during the summers he loved to spend time on the water in Bella Vista, Arkansas. Hard-working, tireless, and determined to do right, he loved his family and supported their dreams.
Friends may visit at Roller Chenal Funeral Home, 13801 Chenal Parkway, Little Rock, AR 72211, (501)224-8300, Sunday, May 15, 2016, 4pm until 6pm. Memorial services will be held Monday, May 16 at 11am, at St. James United Methodist Church, Little Rock. Interment will follow at Forest Hills Cemetery (10200 Hwy 5, Alexander, Arkansas).
Memorials may be made to St. James United Methodist Church, 321 Pleasant Valley Drive, Little Rock, AR 72212.
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8 Condolence(s)
Kay Wight Davis
Wednesday, May 18, 2016
To Alice and Barry's children,
I am sorry to read about Barry death. Barry played a big role in
my life, both business and personal. I will forever thank him for
believing in me and ideas I brought to him. He helped give me
the chance to get in the door for many opportunities with Wal*Mart.
He was a good man and will be remembered and missed.
Kay Wright Davis
Food Talk,Inc
Smartpouch, LLC
Gregory Holt
Saturday, May 14, 2016
I just want to say “Thanks for the memories, Uncle Barry”! Remembering the many fishing trips to Canada with you, my Dad (Richard “Dick” Holt), John Nutter, Bud Dismang and Woody. The times at night after fishing all day sitting around the table listening to you and my dad (your brother) talk about your work, both of you the consummate salesmen and perfectionists. The big breakfasts in the morning, packing lunches for the day on the water, the emails and phone calls about menu planning, groceries, and making sure that we had plenty of drinking water, bug spray and aloe lotion for the sunburn. Ahh Yes.. the bickering between brothers; my dad being the oldest who thought everything needed to be done in a certain way and with you, being the younger brother, kept needling him and throwing a wrench in his plans--- True brotherly love.
While fishing; hearing your loud voice was our “GPS” when on the water. We could be on the other side of the lake and dad would say, “Let's head over near your uncle and see how they are doing.” Fishing with you and watching you strip down to your underwear and wading in to retrieve John's waterproof lighter and getting it for him.
After my dad's death it was important for me to be with you and the other guys, so thank you for continuing the fishing trip and including my stepson Colton, who at the time was never without his mom at his side since the loss of his dad, “Just the men”! Colton and I came back with a stronger bond. Thank you!
Through the years, (our busy lives and distances) our Holt family has gone their own ways. Pictures of times together both physical and mental with family and friends will always bring a little comfort in these trying times.
“Thank you for the memories, Uncle Barry.”I will miss you..
Love your nephew,
Greg Holt
To Alice, Todd, John, and your families: Sorry we could not be there at this time. Tim has a meeting with doctors on Monday and Mike and I need to attend. Thoughts and prayers to you from The Wisconsin Holt Family-cousins Tim, Mike and Greg and their families.
Polly Bakker
Friday, May 13, 2016
Alice and Family,
I am so sorry to hear about your loss. Know that others
are thinking about you during this time.
In The Bond,
Polly
Sandra Mills
Friday, May 13, 2016
My deepest sympathy to the family of Barry Holt.
I worked with Barry and I was sadden to hear of his passing. He was a very nice, hard working man and he will be missed by everyone who knew him.
Kathy Hollingsworth
Friday, May 13, 2016
Alice, I am so sorry to hear about your loss of Barry. You can rest assured that you are being prayed for and are much love by many.
Rene Lovett
Friday, May 13, 2016
Todd - I'm sorry I won't be with your family during this difficult time. I can certainly see you in the photo of your father. Reading this obituary, it sounds like he chose the good things of this life. I'm thinking of you and remembering you and yours in my prayers. Rene
Lucy Sauer
Thursday, May 12, 2016
Dear Alice, All of us at work are grieving with you. Words can’t express our love and appreciation for you and sadness at the loss of your Dear Barry. I am happy you had such a love in your life.
Susan Gage
Wednesday, May 11, 2016
Alice, I'm shocked and saddened to learn the news about Barry. He had a sweet Christian spirit, and i will miss him in Sunday school. He gave generously of his resources so our class could have a wonderful fish fry each year. You will be in my prayers for strength in the days ahead.