James Holt

James Henry Holt of Bettendorf, Iowa, was born March 5, 1938, in Big Spring, Texas, to James Daniel Holt and Vernie Pauline Pittman Holt. James went to be with Jesus on May 2, 2026, after a long battle with congestive heart failure.

He is survived by four children: Cindy Dorsey, Jim Holt, Missy Rudolph, and Felicia Phillips. He is also survived by grandchildren Roselind Alvarez, Aimee Jasso, Christopher Holt, Derek Rudolph, Drew Rudolph, Heidi Rudolph, Joshua Phillips, Jonathan Phillips, Anna Phillips, and Lucy Phillips, 9 great-grandchildren, and several cousins. He is preceded in death by his beloved Sweetheart, Geraldine (Jerrie) Faye Ross Holt, one grandchild, and one great-grandchild.

James graduated from William B. Travis High School in 1955. He was an only child but grew up close to several cousins. He married Jerrie in 1967, after they met serving at the mission center operated by his parents. Their love for one another was beautiful to behold. James graduated from Southern Methodist University and pursued a career in the area of safety consulting, achieving the CSP designation. His other early careers included Texas Instruments, selling insurance, renting cars, and safety inspection. In the 1980’s and 1990’s, James acted as a Church Renewal Coordinator for Texas Baptist Men, working with churches in 11 states. Later he and Jerrie served an appointment with the North American Mission Board in American Samoa. This was followed by a year of teaching at Ningbo University in Ningbo, China. Upon returning from China, James became an ordained pastor, serving a church in Carbon, Texas, before retiring to Fort Smith, Arkansas. There, he “unretired” and served several churches in the area as an interim pastor before finally leaving the pastorate in 2016. They moved to Iowa in 2021. He taught numerous Sunday School and Bible Study classes over the years.

James loved music and singing. He sang with a ringing bass all his life. Model railroading and antique car restoration were favorite hobbies. James loved to play strategy games, especially chess and “42” dominoes. He was an avid fan of the Dallas Cowboys. James was a true Texan at heart, with his love of pecans, dominoes, and Blue Bell Ice Cream.

Loving God and loving people were his passions.

A memorial will be held at 10:00am on June 13, 2026, at Cross Point Baptist Church, Davenport, IA. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to Texans on Mission at www.texansonmission.org. They are leaders in disaster relief around the globe.