Nick D. Holt Obituary (1928

GRUVER - Nick Holt, 81, died, Monday, August 10, 2009. Burial will be at 9 a.m. Thursday in the Gruver Cemetery with the Rev. Dr. Brad Reeves officiating. A memorial service will follow at 11 a.m. at the Gruver United Methodist Church. Arrangements are by Henson-Novak Funeral Directors. Nick was born June 10, 1928, in Dalhart to Coy and Eva Holt. He married Trixie Stout, his only love, on May 26, 1963, in Seymour, TX. He was a resident of Gruver all his life. Nick graduated from Gruver High School in 1945 and rode bareback broncos in his younger years. He was devoted to the family business of cattle ranching and farming his entire life. He was a charter member of the American Quarter Horse Association and bred and raised horses for over 60 years. Nick proudly served his country during the Korean conflict from 1950-1952 as driver for General James Van Fleet, commander of the U.S. Eighth Army and United Nations forces in Korea. He obtained the rank of Sergeant First Class and earned a Bronze Star and Air Medal for bravery. Nick fell ill with an infection early Monday morning. He died peacefully in his sleep. Survivors include his wife, Trixie, five daughters, Paige and husband Tom Speck, Holly and husband Jerrell Key, of Gruver; Sally and husband Joel Meek of Prattville, AL; Brooke and husband Joe Ruhlin of Eden Prairie, MN; and Roxane Holt of Dallas. He is also survived by two sisters, Comfort Winders and Elizabeth Holt, and two brothers, Pat and wife Georgia Holt, and Coy Miles Holt, all of Gruver. His grandchildren are Maggie, Nicholas, and Colton Key; Hannah, Ella, and Thomas Speck; Samuel, Rachel, Kathleen, and Patrick Ruhlin; and Nilani and Wen Meek; and many wonderful extended family members and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, a daughter, Ashley, and an infant son. The family suggests, in lieu of flowers, that memorials be for Gruver United Methodist Church or Gruver Scholarship Fund, c/o Amarillo Area Fund, 801 S. Filmore St., Ste. 700, Amarillo, TX 79101. The family extends their gratitude to the faculty and staff of Baptist Saint Anthony's hospital of Amarillo for their compassionate care this summer.