GREAT BEND – Robert “Bob” James Holt, 59, passed away peacefully in his home on March 16, 2020, surrounded by those he loved most dearly. He was born to John (Jack) & Charlette Holt on October 6th, 1960, in Kansas City, MO and grew up in Great Bend, KS. In 1973 he met the love of his life, Tammy (Spray) Holt, who moved in across the street. On January 8th, 1983, in Great Bend, Bob and Tammy got married after a decade of friendship.
Bob was a 1979 graduate of Great Bend High School and earned his B.S. in Business Administration from the University of Kansas in 1983, where he was a proud member of Delta Upsilon fraternity. After college, Bob & Tammy moved to Omaha, NE where he took a job as an estimator for AC&S Construction.
In 1985 he was offered a job at Venture Corporation, and the young couple were excited to move back to their hometown of Great Bend. During his 30 years at Venture he was active on several committees with the Kansas Contractors Association. Bob served as Venture Corporation’s Secretary & Estimator until his retirement in May of 2015. His involvement included; Action Auction (Chairman, 1998-2006), Public Relations (1998), Kansas Good Roads (Director), Convention Committee (1999-2015), Legislative Committee (2001-2015), Education Foundation (2008-2015), Summer Fest (Chairman, 2010-2013) and Flexible Paving Division (Chairman, 2012). Outside of his work involvement, he was a member of; CKMC Board of Directors, Past President and member of St. Patrick’s School Board, Prince of Peace Parish, having served on the Property Commission, and Board of Directors of Lakota HOA (Winter Park, CO).
His passions in life were his faith, family, friends, golf, KU basketball, and Polaris off-roading throughout the Rocky Mountains and Moab. Even after being diagnosed with cancer, he refused to lose his passion for life. Through his fight, he acted as a living example of how important our brief time is on this earth. He continued to establish and build relationships, leaving lasting impressions on those whose paths’ he crossed.
Bob is survived by his loving wife, Tammy, and their three sons: Brett (Leslie) Holt & his granddaughter Landreigh, Brad (Jordan) Holt, and Allan Holt. Also, his mother, Charlette Holt and 4 siblings: John (Suzy) Holt, Beth (Paul) Jantsch, Tom (Mindy) Holt, and Mary (Vic) Adamle. As well has his mother-in-law, Doris Spray, and two brothers-in-law, Kip (Kelly) Spray and Chris (Julie) Spray. Bob was also an amazing uncle to his 16 nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his father, John (Jack) Holt, his father-in-law, Orville (Butch) Spray.
Memorial services are pending, due to the Mass restrictions and limitations set forth by the Catholic Diocese, and will be announced at a later date. Memorials are suggested to the Cancer Fund at Golden Belt Community Foundation, Prince of Peace Parish, and Golden Belt Home Health & Hospice, in care of Bryant Funeral Home. Condolences may be sent and notice viewed at www.bryantfh.net
Funeral arrangements provided by
Bryant Funeral Home
1425 Patton Road
Great Bend, KS 67530
Great Bend (Kan.) Tribune, March 18, 2020
