Ralph Holt

William Ralph Holt, 82, passed away April 9, 2016 at his home in Smithfield, Utah. Ralph was born April 15, 1933 to William Samuel Holt and Lona Matilda Littledike in Trenton, Utah.
He loved growing up in Trenton and knowing every single soul who lived there. While his dad worked on the ranch in Clarkston, he spent time at his Grandma Littledike’s home with his mother. There he learned to ride bikes and play in the dirt. He played in the very same dirt (the family farm) until he passed away. He loved sports, especially baseball. Ralph graduated from North Cache High School and Utah State University with a Bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Economics in 1957.
Following a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to the Western States Mission, he married his sweetheart, Gloria Ann Nielsen, in the Logan LDS temple on December 16, 1955. They raised six children and celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary last December.
He was employed by Del Monte Corporation in management for more than 30 years, retiring in 1991 after working in Spanish Fork, Ogden, and then in Smithfield and Franklin as the Plant Superintendent.
Ralph was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints where he served in many callings, including: Bishop, High Priest Group Leader, Elders Quorum President, and three different Stake High Councils. Following his career, Ralph and Gloria went on three LDS missions, the first in Washington DC South and two in Nauvoo to serve in the temple. Together they served in the Logan Temple for 13 years where Ralph was called to serve as a sealer and had the opportunity to seal several grandchildren.
Ralph’s way to raise boys was to raise crops. He loved farming, horses, cows, dogs, camping, hunting, and fishing. He operated both his maternal and fraternal farms in Trenton and Clarkston for many years including 360 acres of dry farm. The farm was in the Holt family for 125 years before being sold this year.
Ralph was involved with the city government, serving on the city planning and zoning as well as Precinct Chair for several years.
He saw the future of computers and purchased an original Macintosh computer to teach his children computer skills. He took pride in publishing a family newsletter each month with pictures. He printed and laminated schedules that were furnished for the Logan Temple for years after he was released. He valued the importance of family history, and particularly enjoyed ancestral stories and locating photos to upload. Educating his children on their heritage was important to Ralph.
Ralph is preceded in death by his parents and his daughter Nancy Ann (Lynn Eskelson). Ralph is survived by his wife Gloria, and children: Dr. Lynn (Margene) Eskelson of Green River, WY; Ned (Amber) Holt of Lyman, WY; Hugh (Peggy) Holt of Sandy, UT; Niel (Kathy) Holt of Hyde Park, UT; Mark (Kristin) Holt of South Weber, UT; Janet (Matthew) Funk of Richmond, UT. He is also survived by his sister Sharon (LaVar) Richman, 20 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held at noon Saturday, April 16, 2016 at the Smithfield 17th Ward, 345 East 300 South, Smithfield. There will be a viewing at the Allen Mortuary of North Logan, 420 East 1800 North, on Friday, April 15, 2016 from 6 to 8 p.m. and at the church Saturday from 10:00 to 11:30 a.m. Interment will be in the Smithfield Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please donate to the LDS Humanitarian Fund at https://www.ldsphilanthropies.org/humanitarian-services/funds/humanitarian-general-fund.html . Condolences and memories may be shared with family at www.allenmortuaries.net .