John Rodney Holt
May 22, 1939 ~ October 28, 2021
John Rodney Holt, 82, of Reston VA, is now finally reunited with the love of his life on October 28th, 2021. His beloved wife of 53 years, H. Petra passed away in 2017. John’s devotion to Petra was storybook.
John or Rodney as he was known growing up, was born in Mt. Ida, Arkansas to Willis and Hazel Holt on May 22, 1939 and was raised in Arkadelphia, AR. A graduate of Arkadelphia High School in 1957, Rodney was captain of both the football and basketball teams. As an accomplished student, Rodney was invited to interview for and ultimately appeared twice on a new television gameshow out of Little Rock. Graduating from the University of Arkansas with a bachelor’s in electrical engineering, Rodney went on to attend the United States Naval Officer Candidate School in Rhode Island and in July of 1962 earned a commission in the United States Navy.
It was while on active duty in Iceland, that John met the women he would marry. Petra Guðmundsdóttir of Reykjavik Iceland and John were married in 1964, a marriage that lasted until her passing in 2017.
John was preceded in death by his parents Willis and Hazel Holt. He is survived by all three of his children: Robert and Pamela Holt, Ian Holt, and Odessa and Dennis Murray, and all four of his grandchildren: Noah, Olivia, Bridget, and Megan. John is also survived by all four of his siblings: Barbara Holt, Hank Holt, Mary Grace Tolleson, and Libby Holt.
While John had a very successful career, he was not defined by his profession but rather by his passions. Motorcycles and Wine. John started riding motorcycles about the same time he ended his homemade wine making career in lieu of collecting the wine of others. Six motorcycles and over forty years of riding, John always looked forward to the “next” ride, whether that was the 25th year anniversary ride of the “Chicken Run” or just a ride out to visit close friends. John would put up his helmet when it was time to assume his duties as “Chairman of the Bordeaux”. Although a self-proclaimed non-joiner, he did allow himself an exception for the wine club that he helped start. Gathering to drink and discuss wine or even regale others with his latest $10 find is what John enjoyed most of all, with the possible exception of receiving the most votes on a bottle he brought to a blind tasting (13 top spots). If John was not talking about bikes, wine, or Washington sports, his grandchildren took center stage.
John was different things to different people, but he was always an example of virtue and goodness. He is that guy who would call a penalty on himself while golfing and wonder why other people would make a big deal of it.
A memorial service for John is scheduled for 2:00 PM November 18th at Money & King, 171 Maple Ave. W, Vienna VA 22180. The family asks that in lieu of flowers, donations be sent to John and Petra’s favorite charity: Operation Smile.
John or Rodney as he was known growing up, was born in Mt. Ida, Arkansas to Willis and Hazel Holt on May 22, 1939 and was raised in Arkadelphia, AR. A graduate of Arkadelphia High School in 1957, Rodney was captain of both the football and basketball teams. As an accomplished student, Rodney was invited to interview for and ultimately appeared twice on a new television gameshow out of Little Rock. Graduating from the University of Arkansas with a bachelor’s in electrical engineering, Rodney went on to attend the United States Naval Officer Candidate School in Rhode Island and in July of 1962 earned a commission in the United States Navy.
It was while on active duty in Iceland, that John met the women he would marry. Petra Guðmundsdóttir of Reykjavik Iceland and John were married in 1964, a marriage that lasted until her passing in 2017.
John was preceded in death by his parents Willis and Hazel Holt. He is survived by all three of his children: Robert and Pamela Holt, Ian Holt, and Odessa and Dennis Murray, and all four of his grandchildren: Noah, Olivia, Bridget, and Megan. John is also survived by all four of his siblings: Barbara Holt, Hank Holt, Mary Grace Tolleson, and Libby Holt.
While John had a very successful career, he was not defined by his profession but rather by his passions. Motorcycles and Wine. John started riding motorcycles about the same time he ended his homemade wine making career in lieu of collecting the wine of others. Six motorcycles and over forty years of riding, John always looked forward to the “next” ride, whether that was the 25th year anniversary ride of the “Chicken Run” or just a ride out to visit close friends. John would put up his helmet when it was time to assume his duties as “Chairman of the Bordeaux”. Although a self-proclaimed non-joiner, he did allow himself an exception for the wine club that he helped start. Gathering to drink and discuss wine or even regale others with his latest $10 find is what John enjoyed most of all, with the possible exception of receiving the most votes on a bottle he brought to a blind tasting (13 top spots). If John was not talking about bikes, wine, or Washington sports, his grandchildren took center stage.
John was different things to different people, but he was always an example of virtue and goodness. He is that guy who would call a penalty on himself while golfing and wonder why other people would make a big deal of it.
A memorial service for John is scheduled for 2:00 PM November 18th at Money & King, 171 Maple Ave. W, Vienna VA 22180. The family asks that in lieu of flowers, donations be sent to John and Petra’s favorite charity: Operation Smile.
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Our deepest condolences on your loss. Generations pass, as all things must. In loving memory of Peta and John. Yours, Kalli and Sigga.
Dearest family, our deepest condolences, for the loss of your beloved father. God bless you all. Eva, Ellert, Evert and Aron
A candle was lit for the decedent.