Benjamin Dean 'BD Peter' Holt, Jr.

Benjamin Dean Holt, Jr. ("BD Peter"), passed away on Saturday, March 10, 2018. He was born in Oakland, CA to Benjamin Dean Holt, Sr. and Loretta Wahl Holt on April 21, 1925. He graduated from Stockton High School in 1943, enlisted in the US Marine Corps and was promoted to Lieutenant after graduating from Officers Training School. After WWII, he entered the University of California at Berkeley. He married his first love, Corinna Knapp in 1947 and graduated from CAL-Berkley in 1948 with a degree in Agricultural Economics. After Corinna passed away in 1990, he fell in love again and married Kaye Durham in 1992. B.D (Peter) would say, "How lucky I've been to have two women who loved me!"

In 1948, BD (Peter) went to work for Caterpillar Tractor Co. in Peoria, IL and after completing his training there, he became the Caterpillar District Representative in Mississippi. He was then recalled to the Marine Corps during the Korean War. After the Korean War, he returned to work for Caterpillar. In 1954, BD (Peter), moved his family to San Antonio to work for his uncle, William K. Holt at his Caterpillar dealership in South Texas. In 1961, his uncle sold him the southern portion of the Wm. K. Holt Machinery Co. BD (Peter) established his headquarters for B.D. Holt Co. in Corpus Christi. In 1969, he established Energy Industries to manufacture gas compressors. That business expanded into several states and Canada. In 1978, he was able to fulfill a lifelong goal when he purchased a ranch in the Texas Hill Country near Blanco, running a cow/calf operation and growing oats and hay crops. In 1987, BD Holt Co. and Holt Machinery Co. in San Antonio merged, moving the headquarters to San Antonio and what is now Holt CAT. He never lost his Caterpillar connection, driving to the office almost every day when he was not at his beloved ranch.

He supported many community causes in both Corpus Christi and San Antonio including the Texas Aquarium, San Antonio Children's Museum, the United Way and the San Fernando Cathedral.

BD (Peter) was the father of Peter M. Holt (Julianna), Anne Holt (Christian Schultz) and Ben Holt (Lisa). Not many fathers have two son's names after them, Peter and Ben! He also had three children by marriage, Edie Durham Sapp (Henry), Mary Durham Clark (Jimmy) and Eleanor Kaye Durham. He was most happy to be the grandfather to his eleven grandchildren, Corinna Holt Richter (J.B.), Peter John Holt (Lauren Kate), Benjamin and Harrison Holt, Clay Sapp, Mimi Sapp Brown (Zachry), Travis Clark (Katharine), Edwin Clark (Megan) and John, Virginia and Mary Park Durham. He was fortunate enough to have four great grandchildren, Holt and Charlotte Richter, and Hazel and Penny Holt.

BD (Peter) is survived by his sister, Catherine Holt; brothers-in-law, Harry Phillips and George Knapp and sister-in-law, Penny Holt. He is predeceased by his parents, his first wife Corinna Knapp Holt and second wife, Kaye D. Holt, and his brothers, Donald and Nicholas Holt.

BD (Peter) and his family are grateful to all of his dedicated caregivers: Dr. Mark Thorton, Alejandra Rivas, Karel Hoffman, RN; Maria Martindale, Flor De Maria Smith, Caitlyn Gomez (chef), Linda Mallard, Toi Montelango, Tina Peńa and Regina Lucio. Also, most grateful to his office staff: Charles Strickland, Juliet Williams, Gayle Cuellar and Elisa Ellington and to his ranch staff: Harold Lord, Scott Grote, Tony Floerke, Anita Ramirez, Juan Lopez, Eladio Cortez, Joe Torres and David Gonzalez.

MEMORIAL MASS

FRIDAY, MARCH 23, 2018

10:30 AM

SAN FERNANDO CATHEDRAL

115 MAIN PLAZA

In lieu flowers, donations may be made to a charity of one's choice.