"Judd was a 'people' person. He truly was the Will Rogers of wherever he was. It didn't matter color of skin, sex or status, Judd wanted to make a new best friend every day of his life."

-George Bristol, best friend and cousin

Arriving at Denton Hospital on a sunny day in June of 1941, Judd Brooks Holt III became the oldest of three children that would be born to Judd Brooks Holt, Junior and Alice Margaret "Donnie" Holt. Beneath his always smiling and "never-met-a-stranger" demeanor, Judd led a life of leadership, kindness, dedication, curiosity and honesty. He loved the outdoors, national parks, photography, reading, writing, spending time with his sons, his friends, his church and, most of all, he loved Suzy DeGaw Holt.  He was a devoted husband to her for 46 years.

Growing up, Judd was a product of Denton "lab" school.  Later on, as a star at Denton High School, he was elected president of his class and student body president, excelled at track and also led the Bronco Basketball team to All District/All State and Co-Championship in 1959.  It was his outstanding performance on the court and in the classroom that landed him a scholarship to Baylor University, where he majored in economics and went on to shine as president of the student body association.  After graduation, his love for adventure temporarily diverted his attention from further education. In the summer of 1964, he took a job at Yellowstone National Park as a park ranger.  Finding it difficult to leave at the close of the summer, Judd took teaching jobs in single room school houses across Montana.  Once he decided to attend law school, he moved to San Antonio to teach at Jefferson High School and worked towards his Juris Doctor degree at St. Mary's University.

When Judd was nearing the "ripe old age of thirty", his mother decided it was time to take matrimonial action.  She had her eye on a special young lady that worked in the Denton Independent School District as a counselor.  Reluctantly and half-hoping she wouldn't go, Judd asked her out on a date, and she accepted.  Suzy Tawny De Gaw and Judd immediately hit it off.  They were engaged and married within 5 months.  After Judd graduated from law school and after their first son, Josh, was born, they moved to Wichita Falls and had two more sons, Judd IV and Jonathan.  When the great tornado hit in 1979, the Holt family was eager to "get out of town".  Always having faith that "things would work out", Judd picked up his family and moved back to Denton, where they started a brand new life.

It was here, in Denton, that Judd practiced law and lived a life of superlatives.  He found the "best" in everything: every circumstance, every person, every scenic view, every road traveled, ALL historical markers and even restaurants.  Over the years, Judd found time to write, whether it was a Christmas card, short story or his novels. He published A Promise to Catie in 1992 and Remembering Marisa in 2007. Devoted to his church, community and family, Judd was an Elder Emeritus at First Christian Church, was active on the planning and zoning committee for the city of Denton and never missed a piano recital, a tennis match or a basketball game of his boys.  He also had a deep love for Hendrix College, where his three sons graduated and where he chaired the Parent Association.

Judd's greatest accomplishments came through in his role as devoted husband and father.  His work-life balance is a wonderful example to young people today.  His children thrived from his time at home and the love he poured into them. Currently, Josh is an educator in China, Judd is a Merck Pharmaceuticals representative in New Jersey, and Jonathan is an emergency room doctor at Baylor Grapevine.

In 2006, Judd decided to retire.  With Alzheimer's interfering with his daily life, time would be short.  He and Suzy travelled to England and Ireland, which were on his "bucket list".  They spent as much time as possible with their grandchildren, friends and each other.  Judd was freed from the devastating effects of Alzheimer's on August 22, 2017. Judd's story of love and leadership will continue through his family's legacy.

He is survived by his wife, Suzy; his son, Josh Holt, his wife, Michelle, and children, Caleigh, Connor, Corb, and Scout; his son, Judd Holt IV, his wife, Kerry, and their children, Judd V and Ashley; and his son, Jonathan Holt, his wife, Devin, and their children, Sidney and Anna.  He is also survived by his brother, Dr. Don Holt, and his wife, Vicki, his sister, Carol Garrison, and her husband, John, and finally by his dear nieces and nephew.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests a donation in Judd's memory to First Christian Church Memorial Fund (1203 North Fulton, Denton 76201) or a donation to The Walk to End Alzheimer's on September 30.  The link is: http://act.alz.org/goto/DixieSmalley , and please mention Judd's name in the donor recognition space.  We would love to have you join the team as we walk in Grandscape (The Colony), Texas on that day.

We would like to give special thanks to the Staff of Autumn Leaves (now the Village of Valley Creek), especially to Allison, David and Joann, for the compassion they provided to Judd daily.  We are also thankful to Comfort Care Hospice for their gentle care and for helping us to understand and be at peace with the final stage of Alzheimer's.

The celebration of Judd's life will be at First Christian Church of Denton at 1203 North Fulton Street on Saturday, September 2 ^nd at 3:00pm.