John Harvey Holt, 90, died peacefully in his sleep September 5, 2009. John was born April 24, 1919 in Sallisaw, OK. He was one of seven children born to Lee and Amanda Holt. John grew up in Ralston, OK and upon high school graduation attended Oklahoma A&M College receiving his Bachelor's Degree in 1943. While at OAMC he was in ROTC and coached the rifle team to a national championship. After college he was commissioned into the U.S. Army where he served on active duty until 1963, retiring with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. He led troops on Leyte Island and Okinawa during WWII and was awarded the Purple Heart with oak leaf cluster, two Bronze Stars, a Silver Star and Presidential Unit Citation with oak leaf cluster. John received his Master's Degree in Social Work from Wayne State University in Detroit and pursued Doctoral work at Columbia University in New York City. After he retired from military service he began a 20 year career with the Oklahoma State Department of Mental Health, serving as deputy director and overseeing the expansion of community mental health services. John was preceded in death by his parents, six siblings, his wife Betty Carlisle Holt, daughter Jennifer and his son-in-law Richard Ingham. John and Betty met at OAMC and shared 58 years living across the nation and overseas. He is survived by his daughter Susan Ingham and grandchildren Katherine Howell (Jason), Daniel Ingham (fiancee Julie Richards), Mary Howell (Clayton), great granddaughter Sadie Howell, brother Jack Holt and sister-in-law Carolyn Laverde. John will be remembered as a mentor, loving father and grandfather and a lifelong OSU fan. Services will be private. The family has chosen OSU Army ROTC for memorials c/o OSU Foundation, PO Box 1749, Stillwater, OK 74076.