Terry Lee Holt

Terry Lee Holt, 72, passed away on February 11, 2024 in his home after a valiant 10 year battle with cancer. He was born in Rowan County on August 6,1951 to the late Edgar Lee and Lois Holt Lyman. Terry was preceded in death by his grandmother, Ruth Atwell Menius, step mother Doris Holt, step father Walter Lyman, and his step sister Patricia Gainey. Survivors include his wife of 53 years, Eunice Karriker Holt, sons Ryan (Nicole) and Justin (Julie), granddaughters Cayley and Sophia, grandson Liam and step brother Ray Robinson (Jeanne).

Terry was a 1969 graduate of South Rowan High School. He graduated from Appalachian State University in 1973 with a BS degree in history and a six year Educational Specialist degree. He received certification in geography and gifted and talented education from Rowan-Salisbury Schools. He earned his Master's Degree as a reading specialist at Longwood College while teaching in Virginia. In 1973, he began his career as an educator in South Boston, VA where he taught Social Studies for seven years at Halifax County Senior High School. He served as President of the Halifax County Teacher's Association. Terry was designated as a top 10 social studies teacher in Virginia. He and his wife returned to Rowan County in 1980. Soon after this, he helped start a school at Piedmont Correctional Center where he taught three years. After this he began his teaching career in Rowan-Salisbury Schools as a teacher at Erwin and later at South Rowan. In 1996 he received his first administrative position at South Rowan and later served at Enochville, North Rowan and Carson High, where he helped open the school. In 1989 he was selected as Teacher of the Year for Rowan-Salisbury Schools. He received the Terry Sanford award in 1991 from NCAE. Terry co-advised the Erwin Tarheel Jr Historians who won numerous state awards. Terry was a member of the Historic Salisbury Foundation. He was actively involved in the Rowan Museum and served as Board President and president of the History Club. He was extremely interested in local history which was obvious as he taught parts of the Rowan History Class for fourteen years. He also served on the Board of the Historic Neely School Foundation. He was a life time member of the National Education Association. Terry was a member of the Rowan Chapter of the Sons of The American Revolution where he served as the Sergeant of Arms.

Terry spent his early life as a member of Mt. Hope United Church of Christ where he developed a love for scouting while being in the troop where his Dad was scoutmaster. He also received his calling for being a teacher while a seventh grader in his confirmation class. In Halifax County he would serve as a scoutmaster and in 1980 became the long-time scoutmaster at First United Methodist in China Grove. He created the Nighthawks program at Camp Barnhardt for the first year scouts. In 1990, he journeyed west to Philmont New Mexico with fellow scout leaders and scouts. He served on seven Woodbadge Staffs and as Summer Camp Program Director at Camp Barnhardt 1988 and 1995. He was extremely proud that both of his sons became Eagle scouts while he was scoutmaster of Troop 375. During his scoutmaster tenure, there were 36 scouts that earned Eagle.

Terry was a devoted member of First Methodist Church, China Grove since 1980. He served in numerous capacities but his greatest joy was teaching the Pairs and Spares Sunday School Class for forty-three years.

One of the highlights of his life was playing the keyboard in the Twilights, a rock band, from 1968 till 1971. The band performed throughout the southeast. Terry, his wife and young son, Ryan, traveled to Alaska by car in 1984. As a result of all their travels they visited 49 of the 50 states. He enjoyed Major League Baseball and football both pro and college. He was an avid reader of all things history.

A Celebration of Life will be conducted in the sanctuary of First Methodist Church in China Grove, 110 West Church St. at 3:00 pm on Saturday February 17, 2024 with Rev. William Van Wieren and Rev. George Ragsdale officiating. Visitation will follow after the service in Langford Hall.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Friends of Rowan, P.O. Box 262, Salisbury NC 28145-0262. Designate the memorial for Terry Holt to Rowan Museum Inc. at 202 S. Main St. Salisbury, NC 28144. If donated through F.O.R. your memorial donation will be doubled.

Shared memories and comforting words can be made to the family at www.linn-honeycutt.com

Linn-Honeycutt Funeral Home is honored to be serving the Holt family.