Holt, Danny Wayne
Danny Wayne Holt, age 77, of Lewis County, passed away peacefully on March 10, 2026, at his home. He was born September 12, 1948, at the Boyce Clinic in Hohenwald to the late Odie Holt and Lucille Carroll Holt.
Danny was a 1966 graduate of Lewis County High School and later earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Education from the University of Tennessee. He taught school for three years before pursuing several other occupations throughout his life. In the early 1990s, he founded Quality Construction and later retired from the State of Tennessee Department of Children’s Services after years of dedicated work.
On February 1, 1985, he married Judy Elaine Love, beginning a marriage built on love, laughter, and faith.
Danny was well known for his playful nature and his ability to aggravate just about anyone. If he had something on you, he would never let you live it down-but beneath the teasing was a man who truly loved people. His family meant everything to him. In his daily prayers, he faithfully thanked God for his children and grandchildren. He often said that God was number one and family was a close number two, and he believed that everybody should know God. His family was his greatest accomplishment.
A true jack of all trades, Danny could fix nearly anything-though he was just as well known for tearing things up, getting things stuck, or occasionally catching something on fire while trying. He was always working on a project and took great pride in restoring an old farmhouse and homestead that is part of a Century Farm, one of his proud accomplishments later in life.
Following retirement, Danny enjoyed farming, caring for his cattle, baling hay, and building fences. He also treasured his morning and evening naps.
Danny shared a special bond with his brothers and often reflected on their childhood, remembering how they worked together to help support the family at a young age. He would tell stories of being only twelve or thirteen years old and helping drive to Michigan to help a family move.
He was also a proud supporter and participant in the Lewis County Hee Haw skits, which raised money for the Lewis County Cancer Society, and he loved being involved in something that helped others.
Most importantly, Danny was a faithful member of the Gordonsburg Church of Christ. If the church doors were open, Danny was there.
He is survived by his loving wife, Judy Holt; his children, son Jamie Spears, daughter Danielle (Jason) Brooks, and daughter Colyn (Eric) McKnight; his brothers, Eddie (Marlene) Holt, Mack (Kay) Holt, and Jackie (Karen) Holt; and his six grandchildren, Kinsley, Karlie, Anderson, Sawyer, Max, and Braxton.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother, Freddie Holt, whom he often spoke about missing and looked forward to seeing again, one day.
He also leaves behind many special friends who meant a great deal to him, including Ken Kauffman, Bill Sharp, Bill Matthews, Greg Moore, Jason Horner, and Keith Miller.
Visitation with the family was held on Thursday, March 12, from 12:00 until 2:00 p.m. at the Gordonsburg Church of Christ. Funeral services were at 2:00 p.m., with burial in the Salem Cemetery.
McDonald Funeral Home is honored to be serving the Holt family.
