Ernest "Ray" Holt's Obituary
Ernest “Ray” Holt, 76, of Collierville, TN went to be with the Lord on October 12, 2009 at Germantown Methodist Hospital surrounded by his family.Ray was born in Wayne County, TN on Feb 4, 1933 to Ernest and Dixie Holt. He served in the U.S. Army during the Korean Conflict from 1953 – 1955 in the 101st Airborne Screaming Eagles. He graduated from Memphis State University with a B.B.A. in Business Management and Accounting, obtained his Master’s Degree and later earned his EDS in Business Administration. He worked for Memphis City Schools for over 30 years serving as Deputy Superintendent under Mr. John Freeman and Dr. Willie Herenton and then as Superintendent in 1990-1991. He served in the state as a legislative liaison for 8 years as well as a lobbyist in Washington, D.C. for education. He, his wife and several partners developed SES (Southern Educational Services) where he was CEO and consulted with school systems across the country. His love of education has created opportunities to serve on the local, state, national and international level. In addition, Ray served as president of the Board of Directors for the Memphis Area Teachers Credit Union and on the board of Memphis Area Transit Authority for many years. He was active in the local community, a member of Germantown Baptist Church, affiliated with Gideons International, and a founding member of the Grandparents “Golden Pride” Club of Sycamore Elementary in Collierville.Ray is survived by his wife, Martha of 52 years and their three children, Janet Holt Hall (Charles) of The Woodlands, TX, Randall Holt (Sheila) of Collierville, TN and David Holt (Loretta) of Sotogrande, Spain. He also leaves 7 grandchildren; Brandon Holt, Chad Hall, Josh Hall, Alexis Holt, Amanda Holt, Sylvia Holt and Savanna Holt. He is also survived by two sisters; Mary Ruth Holt Mills of Michie, TN and Linda Holt Stewart of Oxford, MS, and a host of other family and friends.Visitation will be held from 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm on Thursday, October 15th and 1:00-2:00 pm on Friday, October 16th with funeral services and entombment at 2:00 pm on Friday, October 16th at the Memorial Park Funeral Home and Mausoleum in Memphis.In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions to be made in Ray’s name to the Gideons International (www.gideons.org) or to the American Heart Association Research Fund.
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