James Franklin Holt Frank Holt died Tuesday August 2nd after a short illness. He was born on October 23, 1943 in Norfolk, VA to Andrew Jackson Holt and Julia Mae Holt. He received a BFA in fine arts and a MFA in art history from Virginia Commonwealth University. After graduating with his masters, he served in the USAF including one tour in Viet Nam. A 29 year resident of Orlando, he served as the City of Orlando’s Public Art Coordinator and as the founding Director of the City owned Mennello Museum of American Art from which he retired in September 2015. He is survived by a step-sister and brother-in-law Emma and Henry Brothers, a step niece and her husband Kim and Ken Smith and their 2 sons, and several cousins in Virginia. His partner/husband of 40 years is Robert “Bob” Melanson who was at his side at his death. Contributions in lieu of flowers can be made to an endowment to be established to support collections at the Museum. A celebration of his life will be held at the Museum on August 26th.
