Thomas Dewey Holt

Our family is deeply saddened to announce the passing of Thomas Dewey Holt on November 8, 2023. Tom was born in New Prospect, Tennessee on May 28, 1939 to the late William Joseph Holt and Mayme Ford Holt. He moved with his family to the Edwina Community in 1954, which became Tom’s lifelong home. After attending Cosby High School, Tom joined the United States Army and was stationed in Fort Polk, Louisiana as part of the US Army 5th Missile Battalion. He spent most of his military service in Germany. Tom enjoyed the adventure of his military life, but his love of the East Tennessee Mountains brought him home. First and foremost, Tom loved his family. In 1965 Tom met and married Judith Anne Ford, his beloved wife of 58 years. They were blessed with two children, Virginia and Andrew. Tom remained close to his brother and sisters Hooper, Aileen, Janice, Josie, and Irene. He loved planning and attending family activities and reunions. Tom had a variety of jobs before he found his place and passion in small business ownership. Tom and Judy operated the Edwina Grocery for 33 years and Newport Asphalt Sealers, a company they co-founded in 1984, for almost 40 years. His son, Andy, later joined him in this family owned and operated business. Growing up with the fields, streams, and mountains as his playground, Tom developed a deep appreciation for the nature, people and history of the rural areas of his youth. He delighted in taking family members on a ride in his Bronco to “the old places,” telling lots of family stories, and instilling in each person a stronger connection to a family legacy of faith, courage, sacrifice, and honor. Tom was an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed hunting and fishing. Reluctant to share the location of his catch, Tom and his son, Andy, almost always won the annual Holt family fishing competition at Fripp Island, South Carolina. Church, community, and friendships were important to Tom. He and Judy were active members of Pleasant Grove Baptist Church for many years. He was also a devoted supporter of the Edwina Community, taking on important roles to ensure that the needs of community members were being met. Tom was a founding member of the Edwina High Oaks Hunting Club, where he enjoyed spending time and swapping hunting stories with fellow hunt club members. Through the years, this group of friends raised thousands of dollars for St. Jude Children’s Hospital. Tom touched many lives and made countless friends from all walks of life. In addition to his parents, Tom was preceded in death by his sisters Aileen Holt Williamson and Josephine Bowman Kauffman, brother Allen Hooper Holt, and infant sister Shirley Holt. He is survived by his devoted wife Judy Ford Holt; daughter Virginia Holt Bieber (Jeff), son Andrew (Heather), and daughter Jan O’Lear Coaker (Jamie); grandchildren William Bieber, Brady Holt, Abigail Holt, Camden Holt, Emma Holt, Megan Briscoe (Jarod), Jessi Webb (Jake), Katherine Hance (John), and five great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his sister Janice Canan and sister and brother-in-law Irene and Gary Hance, sister-in-law Martha Ford Sutton, brothers-in-law Jerry (Rita) Ford, Bill (Brenda) Ford, sister-in-law Carolyn Ford, and niece Cindy Ford. Tom leaves behind several adoring nieces and nephews. Memorial contributions may be made in Tom’s memory (for an outdoor bench in his honor) to Pleasant Grove Baptist Church, 1645 Pleasant Grove Road, Newport, TN 37821. Or to The University of Tennessee Medical Center Cancer Institute. Gifts can be made by calling 865-305-6611 or sent to the Office of Philanthropy, c/o Cancer Institute at: 2121 Medical Center Way, Suite 110, Knoxville, TN 37920, https://www.utmedicalcenter.org/give-back/give-now. A memorial service honoring Tom’s life will be November 18th at 11:00 am at Pleasant Grove Church with Pastor Glenn Franklin and Reverend Mike Hensley officiating. Interment will follow at Shady Grove Cemetery. Pallbearers are Joe Bowman, Rufus Ford, Austin Ford, Ryan Buckley, Tyler Buckley, Chad Wardrep and Seth Arrowood. Honorary Pallbearers are Clayton Bowman, Steve Ford and Zach Ball. Reception for family and friends will follow the interment at Mountain Fields Homestead at 2:00 pm. The family will greet friends and family at the reception. There will also be an opportunity to share a fun memory, story or kind word about Tom at the reception. Family and friends may stop by Manes Funeral Home to sign the guest register or online at www.manesfunearlhome.com. Arrangements by Manes Funeral Home.

Thomas Dewey Holt

May 28, 1939 - November 8, 2023