Carl Eugene Holt, 90, of Gastonia passed away peacefully in the early morning hours of Saturday April 4, 2020. Carl was a resident of The Ivy in Gastonia. Carl was a life-long resident of Cramerton. He loved his family dearly and he will be missed by many.
Carl proudly served his country in The United States Navy during the Korean War. He was stationed on the USS Taconic AGC-17. He was a lifelong member of The First Baptist Church in Cramerton. He was a past president of the Cramerton Jaycee’s. In his youth Carl was a boxer and his accomplishments in boxing caused him to be inducted into the North Carolina Boxing Hall of Fame in 1997. Carl also served as a board member for the Boxing Hall of Fame. Carl was one of the original founders of the Gaston Shaggers. He was a 3rd degree Mason in the South Fort Masonic Lodge – Number 462 and a 32nd degree Charlotte Scottish Rite Mason. He was also an Oasis Shriner.
Professionally, Carl worked in the Textile Industry with 30 years at Burlington Industries before retiring from Pharr Yarns.
Carl is the son of the late Lillie (Dixon) and Reverend Nathan W. Holt. He is proceeded in death by his wife, Dorothy (Self) Holt, a daughter, Carla (Holt) Price and his Brother Richard A. Holt.
Left to cherish their memories of Carl are his daughters Lucille (Holt) Rankin and husband Rodger, Dereama (Holt) Gaddy and husband Sidney and Martha (Holt) Stephens and husband David. Missing their grandfather are Natalie R. Canter and husband Jonah, Spencer H. Gaddy and wife Elizabeth, Marc Gaddy, Lauren S. Melton and husband David, Jessica Stephens and Kayla A. Price. Carl had four great-grandchildren: Wyatt and Nolan Canter and Corbin and Emmett Melton. He is also survived by his sister, Myrna Crews and husband Sam.
Due to the current Covid 19 Pandemic the family plans a private graveside service. The Reverend Dr. David Julian will offer word of encouragement and hope to the family as they gather to remember Carl.
Funeral Honors by the United States Navy and the Gaston County Honor Guard will be rendered at a later date.
In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations be made in Carl’s name to: Gaston Hospice, P.O. Box 3984, Gastonia, NC 28054 or Office of Development, Shriners Hospitals for Children – Greenville, 950 West Faris Road, Greenville, SC 29605 or South Fork Masonic Lodge #462, 142 8th Avenue, Cramerton, NC 28032.
Fond memories of Carl and condolences for the family may be left at www.carothersfuneralhomegastonia.com.
The staff at Carothers Funeral Home at Gaston Memorial Park is honored to serve the Holt family.
