Arthur Ernst Holdt (Art), 95, of Naples, Florida formerly of Demorest Georgia passed away on Monday, July 23, 2012.
Born May 30, 1917, Art grew up in several Northeast Georgia towns including Clayton and Demorest. He attended North Georgia College and the Naval Academy where he graduated in 1941. He entered the US Marine Corps and served proudly for 26 years attaining the rank of Colonel. He was stationed at Pearl Harbor when it was attacked December 7, 1941, and was in the Pacific front during World War II. In 1954-55 he served in Korea during the Korean War. After retiring from the Marines, he taught high school math in northern Virginia for 10 years.
Art was the oldest of four children born to Ernst Holdt and Mell Justus Holdt. Siblings who preceded him in death are Robert Holdt, Carolyn Duncan and Matsy Crawford. After W.W. II, Art married Florence Buerckholtz Holdt who preceded him in death. Their two surviving children are Cathy Holdt of Indianapolis, IN, and Arthur Holdt, Jr. of Hampstead, MD. Others surviving include granddaughters Cristie Dukehart and Julie Valeriano-Holdt, and four great-grandchildren Isadora Dukehart, Kane Pargoe, Trent Pargoe and Dominic Valeriano-Holdt. Art's surviving nieces are Joann Dubeck and Althea Thomas; nephews are Michael Duncan and Alan Crawford.
Art spent his last years in Naples and lived with Martha Rambie. They enjoyed traveling, square-dancing and volunteered for Meals-on-Wheels and Collier Harvest. He was a member of the Presbyterian Church.
A memorial service is scheduled for 2:00 p.m. Friday, October 05, 2012 from the Chapel of McGahee-Griffin & Stewart Funeral Home. Interment will follow in the Demorest City Cemetery.
The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 1:00 p.m. until the service hour.
An online guest register is available and may be viewed at www.mcgaheegriffinandstewart.com
McGahee-Griffin & Stewart Funeral Home of Cornelia, Georgia (706) 778-8668 is in charge of arrangements.
