Ronnie is preceded in death by his parents Lieut. Ophelia Curtis Holt, Jr. and Martha Louise (Chapman) (Holt) Johnson, and one grandchild Turner Holt Jonson. He was the grandson of the late Ophelia Curtis Holt, Sr. and Sarah Martha Gibbs of Rochelle, Georgia and the late James Hamilton Chapman and Myrtle Lucile DeLoach of Macon-Bibb, Georgia.
Ronnie and his identical twin brother Donnie were born in Albuquerque, New Mexico on December 19, 1943 where their father was stationed during World War II. At the end of the war, the family moved back to Georgia and the family continued to grow with the birth of their sister Marsha. As a young man the twins attended grammar school in Wilcox and later Bibb county. In the mid-fifties the family moved to Houston county and attended Warner Robins High School where they graduated in 1961. Both boys attended North Georgia College where Ronnie earned a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics graduating in 1965 with the rank of First Lieutenant. He also married his first wife, Diane Califf of Macon.
While in college he was a member of the Rex Fraternity, NCO Club, Officers Club, and National ROTC Band Association. In June of 1965, he entered the Army and received his commission through Reserve Officers’ Training Corps at college. At the age of 23, Ronnie assumed command of Battery C of the 517th Artillery’s 4th Missile Battalion located at Ft. Amador, Canal Zone. In 1968 he was promoted to the rank of Captain and served in the Airborne Special Defense Forces in Vietnam during the TET offensive. Ronnie received several medals including a Bronze star for Meritorious Service and the Army Commendation Medal for heroism.
After leaving the service he was a forerunner in the computer industry working with hardware and software as a programmer or in sales for companies such as Control Data, IBM, National Data Processing and Pansophic. Ronnie was an entrepreneur and had several successful businesses including a billing service and Perry Power Equipment. In his spare time, he was an avid outdoorsman hunting, fishing, gardening, and cutting wood. Ronnie also participated in prison and shut-in ministries. Ronnie was most known and loved for his positive and joyful attitude during his extended disability. He chose to “Let his Light Shine” despite his circumstances.
Ronnie is survived by his wife Susan of Houston county as well as four daughters, Shona Holt Jonson (David) and Tammy Holt Baker (Jonathan) of Henry county; Angie Holt Lester (Shane) of Butts county; Jennifer Holt Burke (Joe) of Twiggs county; and one son Ronald James “Jim” Holt, Jr. of Houston county; 9 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren; Identical twin brother Donnie C. Holt (Donna) of Houston county, sister Marsha Holt Moneyhan (Don) of Macon-Bibb county; Diane Folsom-Putnam county and aunt Lena Chapman Bean of Macon-Bibb county; and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.
A Celebration of Life service will be held Sunday, January 9th at 2:30 PM at Park Memorial United Methodist Church at 5290 Arkwright Rd, Macon, GA 31210. Family members Devin Baker and David Jonson officiating. Ronnie’s family will receive friends prior to the service at 1:30 PM.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Southeastern Paralyzed Veterans of America (www.southeasternpva.org/donate) or checks may be mailed to 4010 Deans Bridge Road, Hephzibah, GA 30815
Please make checks payable to: Paralyzed Veterans of America, Southeastern Chapter.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.haistenfunerals.com for the Holt family.
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