James "Jim" Donald Holt Sr.

James "Jim" Donald Holt Sr., 82, a resident of Berwick, passed away on Wednesday, April 27, 2016 at Terrebonne General Medical Center in Houma. Jim was born in Ogemaw, Arkansas the son of Colin Josephus Holt and Iris Venola Reid Holt. While Jim attended Gaston High School in Joinerville, Texas, he was a top athlete competing in all school sports. In 1952, he was the Texas State Champion Pole Vaulter. Jim served his country proudly serving in the United States Army. In late 1955, Jim left his home and traveled to South Louisiana to start a career in the oil field that spanned 61 years where he worked for many companies finishing his career as an active employee of PMI Energy Services in Morgan City at the time of his passing. When Jim wasn’t working he loved to be in the outdoors on the golf course, fishing and in his younger years, hunting. In his spare time he was also an avid bowler, and was a member of multiple tournament and league bowling championship teams from the 1950’s thru the 1980’s. Jim had a special place in his heart for young children and volunteered many hours coaching recreational baseball. Continuing in his serving ways he was the past president of the Berwick High School Booster Club. He was an avid fan of the LSU Tigers and the New Orleans Saints. Jim enjoyed spending time with his family and loved going to his grandchildren’s extracurricular activities. He loved listening to and dancing to country music with Anne Murray being his favorite. Jim also loved watching old western movies especially any with John Wayne. The thing that Jim will be remembered for the most is his great sense of humor and the constant smile he wore on his face for all to see, regardless of any personal issues he may have been wrestling with. Everywhere Jim went he seemed to know someone and would stop to talk; if by chance he didn’t know you, by the time you were through talking, he knew you! He will be missed by all who knew him. He will be sadly missed and lovingly remembered by his wife, Margaret Alfred Holt of Berwick; three sons, James D. "Jamie" Holt Jr. and wife Jolene of Morgan City, Kevin P. Holt and wife Lizette of Vacherie, Benjamin J. Holt and wife Jennifer of Denham Springs; one daughter, Mary C. Holt and companion Mark Barger of Morgan City; seven grandchildren, Gerald B. Holt, Kenneth P. Holt and wife Kristy, Thomas J. Holt and wife Danielle, Danielle A. Holt and companion Christopher, Brittany M. Jackson, Grace L. Holt, Emma K. Holt; two great grandchildren, Claire Holt and Kyle Hoffman; one step great-grandchild Kaleb Thigpen; five step-grandchildren, Angel Case, Michael Baker Jr., Dawn Sharp, Sarah Theriot, Nicholas Louque; 13 step-great grandchildren. Jim was preceded in death by his parents, Colin Josephus Holt and Iris Venola Reid Holt. A visitation will be held on Friday, April 29, 2016 at Twin City Funeral Home from 5:30 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. with the visitation resuming from 8:00 a.m. until dismissal for Mass at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday, April 30, 2016 at Twin City Funeral Home. A Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday at Sacred Heart Catholic Church with Father Greg Fratt officiating. Following Mass Jim will be laid to rest in the Morgan City Cemetery Mausoleum with Military Honors rendered by the East St. Mary Veteran’s Funeral Squad.