George Harold Holt, 87, a long-time resident of Mobile, Alabama, passed away on March 30, 2020 in Okmulgee, Oklahoma. George was born in Mobile, Alabama on January 7, 1933 to Elmer and Nola Holt. He was a 1950 graduate of Murphy High School where he was pinned with the nickname "Shug" and loved sharing his many great stories of times there. George was a proud veteran of the Korean War where he served as a member of the U.S. Air Force and earned numerous medals until his honorable discharge in 1955. He returned to Mobile after his tour and married Shirley Marie Fail on January 20, 1956 to whom he was married until her untimely death in August of 1985. George and Shirley raised three children who are eternally grateful for the countless and everlasting wonderful memories of the life and events they shared and created together as a family. As a civilian, George worked for Mobile's Brookley Air Force Base and was a highly innovative technical resource for then classified guidance and radar systems on F84, F104 & F105 jets creating performance improvements that became standard and were recognized universally. His time at B.A.F.B. further fueled his lifelong passion for aeronautics and he eventually became a pilot. After the Base's closure, George earned his degree from the University of Alabama and was hired by the "Old" Mobile General Hospital in 1965. He quickly became integral to the institution's growth and was involved in the construction of the "New" Mobile General Hospital, which in 1975 was renamed University of South Alabama Medical Center. Throughout his career at USAMC, George served as President of the Alabama Hospital Engineering Association and served as an instructor for the Institute of Hospital Engineering. His many accomplishments include the design and fabrication of the world's first moveable neonatal blue light diffuser attachment for incubators. This device was used to lower bilirubin in prematurely born infants which ultimately saved many lives. George retired in 1995 from USA after 30 years of service as the Director of Building & Grounds, Biomedical Engineering and Security. George was an avid musician, photographer, hunter and fisherman and was especially known for his embellished fish tales. He was also a master mechanic, plumber and carpenter that could build or fix just about anything. George will be remembered for his hard work ethic, intelligence, mentorship and humor, but he will be especially remembered for his kind heart, gentle nature and willingness to help anyone anytime. Most importantly, George Holt will always be remembered as a loving husband, great father and son, caring step-father and grandfather, and a man of God! George is survived by his son, Danny Holt of Malbis, Alabama; daughters Nancy Holt Gibson (Ray) of New Augusta, Mississippi and Tina Holt Fridley (Doug) of Mobile, Alabama; Daughter in-law Lynne Holt of Mobile, Alabama; Step-children Todd Martchek (Tanya) of Munford, Tennessee and Marianna Pierre (Brian) of Okmulgee, Oklahoma; sister Martha Harrison; 15 grandchildren and numerous great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his wife Shirley Fail Holt, second wife Janie Strahan Holt and brothers Randolph and Herbert Holt. A memorial mass for the immediate family will be held at Saint Dominic Catholic Church.
1933-2020
