Long-time Sidney businessman, Jerry L. Holt, age 76 passed away on Monday, January 27, 2025 at Homestead Memory Care Facility in Shenandoah.  Jerry was born on December 7, 1948 in Maryville, Missouri, to Horace Denzil and Nina Mae (Kelley) Holt.  His siblings include Steve, Deb  and Greg.  His brother, Larry passed away in 1956 due to a farm accident close to their family farm in Ravenwood, Missouri.

Shortly thereafter the family moved to Maryville, Missouri before settling in Sidney.  In 1960 his father ran the filling station on the east side of the square.  Jerry attended country school around Ravenwood and elementary school in Maryville.  Jerry was then enrolled in Junior High School in Sidney and graduated with the Class of 1966 from Sidney High School.  He enlisted in the  U.S. Army in 1967 and reported to Fort Campbell Kentucky.  When it was discovered that his back would not withstand the requirements of duty, he received an honorable medical discharge.

Jerry was united in marriage to Charlene Faye Fox on June 25, 1972 in Sidney.  To this union, two children were born, Larry and Renee.  Charlene passed away unexpectedly in 1976.

In the fall of 1977, Jerry met a school teacher by the name of Karen Sue Ackley.  She agreed to be his bowling partner in a mixed league.  Little did they know that the bowling partnership would become such a lifetime commitment!  Jerry and Karen were united in marriage on January 31, 1980.  They were blessed with just days shy of 45 years.

Jerry continued in the filling station business where his father had worked until his dad died in 1981.  Jerry then started in the family Holt Gas Propane and Tankwagon business that his parents had started.  He worked alongside his mother and brother Greg.  He was a hard worker who put in a lot of hours.  He prided himself on providing good customer care and service.  He served as President of Holt Gas for many years and following his mother's passing became a co-owner alongside his brother, Greg.  Jerry worked side by side with family members Karen, Renee, Steve and Clay.  Jerry and Karen owned some farm ground where he was a crop farmer and had a herd of cattle.  Jerry was never one to sit still for very long.  He was needing to always keep busy! He lived by the phrase: "Work hard and play hard".

He enjoyed fishing in Canada with a group of guys for many years.  He also helped coach legion little league baseball.  He was a past member of the Sidney Fire Department and belonged to the American Legion Post 128 in Sidney.  He helped the rodeo with their beverage stand and even had a clean-up crew for a couple of years.  He assisted the Ladies Auxiliary with the food stands when his mother was a member.

Jerry and Karen loved to travel in the family RV and especially enjoyed trips to California, Las Vegas, Alaska, Port Aransas Texas and Phoenix.  They also flew to Europe in 1984 along with their children and visited Rex Greedy who was stationed with the Air Force.  Another popular vacation spot where many days were enjoyed was in the Lake of the Ozarks.  They enjoyed taking the family to the lake to water ski.  He also enjoyed snowmobiling in Waubonsie State Park with his kids.

Although Jerry enjoyed helping others when possible, his true loves were his family, Holt Gas and the farm.  His four grandchildren, Kelly, Ryan, Charli and Tucker were an added bonus for him.  It has been said that a Grandpa is meant to spoil his grandchildren and that he did.

When Jerry's health started to decline in April of 2024, Karen placed him in Homestead Memory Care in Shenandoah.  He was preceded in death by his parents; brother Larry; his first wife Charlene; brothers-in-law Dick Payne, Jim Dills, Greg Rupp and Chris McGinnis and sisters-in-law Joann Holt and Marilyn Fox.  Those left to cherish his memory include his wife Karen; children Larry Holt and Renee (Jeremy) King; grandchildren Kelly and Ryan Holt and Charli and Tucker King; siblings Steve (Lori) Holt, Greg (Tracy) Holt and Deb Payne; brothers-in-law Mike and Craig Fox; sisters-in-law Teresa (Doug) Custer, Janice McGinnis and Marge Rupp; aunt Carolyn Day; many cousins, other relatives and a host of friends.  Jerry will be deeply missed as a loving husband, dad, grandpa, brother and a sharp-minded businessman.