Obituary for Donald R. "Don" Holt
Donald Ray Holt
1929-2019
Donald Ray Holt of Springfield, Missouri died November 3, 2019, at the age of 90. Don was born on July
27, 1929, in Cherryvale, Kansas to Drew and True (Barker) Holt. Don married DeAnn Banwart on April 18,
1957 in Fort Scott, Kansas. He graduated from high school in Cherryvale, junior college at Fort Scott
Community College, and Pittsburg State University, Pittsburg, Kansas. He served four years in the U.S.
Navy as an Aviation Electronics Technician during the Korean War. Don was employed by railroads for 37
years, beginning at age 18 as a telegraph operator for the Frisco. After moving to Springfield in 1960, he
was an operations supervisor in Frisco’s Communications and Signals Department, eventually moving the department into the computer age. After Frisco’s merger with Burlington Northern, he worked on the staff of the
Vice President in Operations Department. As long as health permitted, Don was very active in sports. He
especially enjoyed basketball, bowling, and tennis. After retirement at age 55, in addition to sports, he
volunteered many hours at Southminster Presbyterian Church, UMHE, and Springfield Council of
Churches, and enjoyed lots of time with grandchildren.
Don is survived by his wife DeAnn; children: Carol Price (Chuck), Drew Holt, and Kim Bush (Charlie);
grandchildren: Jessica Apostle (Mike), Elizabeth Looten (Josh), Charlie Price, Ruth Price, Morgen Holt,
Jeff Bess, Mehgan Holt, and Marra Holt; great-grandchildren: Elena, Audrey, Brady, Natalie, and Joseph;
sister June Wilson; brother Jerry Holt (Corine); brother-in-law Jim Banwart (Connie) and many nieces,
nephews, and cousins. Don’s parents and brother, Jim preceded him in death.
Memorial services will be held at Trinity Presbyterian Church, 1900 East Barataria on November 8 at
2:00, followed by time for conversation with family. Private burial at Missouri Veterans Cemetery. In lieu
of flowers, memorial contributions may be given to Trinity Presbyterian Church’s Eden Village Project,
Springfield Council of Churches, or charity of choice.
1929-2019
Donald Ray Holt of Springfield, Missouri died November 3, 2019, at the age of 90. Don was born on July
27, 1929, in Cherryvale, Kansas to Drew and True (Barker) Holt. Don married DeAnn Banwart on April 18,
1957 in Fort Scott, Kansas. He graduated from high school in Cherryvale, junior college at Fort Scott
Community College, and Pittsburg State University, Pittsburg, Kansas. He served four years in the U.S.
Navy as an Aviation Electronics Technician during the Korean War. Don was employed by railroads for 37
years, beginning at age 18 as a telegraph operator for the Frisco. After moving to Springfield in 1960, he
was an operations supervisor in Frisco’s Communications and Signals Department, eventually moving the department into the computer age. After Frisco’s merger with Burlington Northern, he worked on the staff of the
Vice President in Operations Department. As long as health permitted, Don was very active in sports. He
especially enjoyed basketball, bowling, and tennis. After retirement at age 55, in addition to sports, he
volunteered many hours at Southminster Presbyterian Church, UMHE, and Springfield Council of
Churches, and enjoyed lots of time with grandchildren.
Don is survived by his wife DeAnn; children: Carol Price (Chuck), Drew Holt, and Kim Bush (Charlie);
grandchildren: Jessica Apostle (Mike), Elizabeth Looten (Josh), Charlie Price, Ruth Price, Morgen Holt,
Jeff Bess, Mehgan Holt, and Marra Holt; great-grandchildren: Elena, Audrey, Brady, Natalie, and Joseph;
sister June Wilson; brother Jerry Holt (Corine); brother-in-law Jim Banwart (Connie) and many nieces,
nephews, and cousins. Don’s parents and brother, Jim preceded him in death.
Memorial services will be held at Trinity Presbyterian Church, 1900 East Barataria on November 8 at
2:00, followed by time for conversation with family. Private burial at Missouri Veterans Cemetery. In lieu
of flowers, memorial contributions may be given to Trinity Presbyterian Church’s Eden Village Project,
Springfield Council of Churches, or charity of choice.