Rodney J. "Hollis" Waldt

He was born on the 2nd of September 1933, to John and Clemmie Waldt, in Walhalla, South Carolina. Beginning at birth, he began a life-long love for all things South Carolina. He moved to Houston as a teenager and was a graduate of Jefferson Davis High School.

After graduation, Hollis attended college in Houston, where he met the love of his life and best friend, Mona Hancock. They were married in West University Place on the 25th of April 1953. Their marriage lasted for 56 years until Mona passed away on the 26th of April 2009.

Hollis was a Christian and active member of West University Baptist Church for over 56 years. He humbly served as a Deacon since 1965, as Chairman of the Deacons from 1974-1986, and was ultimately named Deacon Emeritus. He was an incredibly generous man who unselfishly devoted time and energy to those in need.

Hollis was very proud and honored to serve in the United States Marine Corps. He excelled at riflery and was an award-winning marksman.

Hollis was a business leader and mentor to many. He was a humble man though his accomplishments were innumerable. Hollis provided over 50 years of dedicated service in the insurance industry of Houston. He was President and Chairman of Wayland Hancock Insurance Agency and a Principal in the early days of Frost Insurance. He served on the Board of Directors and was a past President of the Independent Insurance Agents Association of Houston. Hollis also served on numerous advisory boards.

Hollis was a loving father and husband. He enjoyed life, travel, and people. He was preceded in death by his loving wife, Mona; and his parents, John A. Waldt and Clemmie Campbell Waldt Nelson. Mr. Waldt is survived by his daughter, Kathy Jones; his son, Kenny and his wife Neva; grandchildren, Jason Jones and his wife Mindy, Jennifer Cannon and her husband Kevin, Zachary Waldt and his wife Jayme, Lois Taylor Waldt and Fiance’ Tyler Emerson; great grandchildren, Avery, Brooke, and Grace Ann Jones, and Brooks and James Cannon; his sister, Becky Waldt; his sisters-in-Law, Lurline Carson, Sue Sylvester and her husband Carroll; his brother-in-Law, Wayland Hancock, Jr. and his wife, Martha; and numerous loving nephews, nieces, and cousins.

Friends are cordially invited to a visitation with the family from five o'clock in the afternoon until eight o'clock in the evening on Monday, the 24th of July, in the library and grand foyer of Geo. H. Lewis & Sons, 1010 Bering Drive in Houston.

The interment is to be conducted at nine o'clock in the morning on Tuesday, the 25th of July, at Forest Park Westheimer Cemetery, 12800 Westheimer Road in Houston, where Dr. Herb Agan will officiate.

A memorial service and celebration of his life will follow at one o'clock in the afternoon on Tuesday, the 25th of July, at West University Baptist Church; 6218 Auden Street in Houston.

Immediately following, all are invited to greet the family during a reception in the adjacent Welcome Center.

In lieu of customary remembrances, the family requests with gratitude that memorial contributions in Hollis’ name be directed to Young Life Southwest, 1931 Lexington St., Houston, TX, 77098; to West University Baptist Church Student Scholarship Fund, or to Senior Ministries, both at 6218 Auden St., Houston, TX, 77005