J.N. Holt

J. N. Holt, 86, of Mountain Brook, Alabama, died November 24, 2012. He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Margaret Ann Emens Holt; his son, John Neal Holt, Jr. of Mountain Brook; and his daughter, Carolyn Corley Holt of Charlotte, North Carolina.

Mr. Holt was born on May 9, 1926 in Sylacauga, Alabama to John Nesbitt Holt and Vida Corley Holt. The family moved to Birmingham in the mid-1930’s, where he lived the remainder of his life. He was a graduate of Phillips High School and attended Birmingham-Southern College (where he was voted “Outstanding Athlete” in 1943 for tennis) for one year before attending the United States Merchant Marine Academy in Kings Point, New York, from which he received a B.S. degree in 1947.

Following service in the United States Navy during World War II, Mr. Holt returned to Alabama and received a Bachelor of Laws degree in 1951 from the University of Alabama. While at Birmingham-Southern and the University of Alabama, he was a proud member of Kappa Alpha Order and was elected No. 1 during his time at UofA.

After law school graduation and admission to the Alabama State Bar, Mr. Holt founded the Birmingham law firm of Holt & Cooper with his law school classmate Coy M. Cooper. He practiced law as a partner in Holt & Cooper for over 50 years until his retirement a few years ago. He had a general practice but specialized in bankruptcy law, an expertise for which he was recognized by his colleagues and peers in professional publications and listings.

His devotion to and pride in the legal profession was also exhibited in his service to the Bar. He served as President of the Birmingham Bar Association in 1983, was a member of its executive committee for a number of years, and received a Lifetime Achievement Award in 2008. He was also President of the Legal Aid Society of Birmingham from 1976 to 1978.

He loved travel, history, gardening and Alabama football, and was a member of Canterbury United Methodist Church. He always considered New Orleans a second home, and he and Mrs. Holt purchased a townhouse in the French Quarter in 1997, where they spent many wonderful weeks over the following years.

For information regarding memorial services, please contact Johns-Ridout’s Valley Chapel in Homewood, Alabama [(205) 879-3401]. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to the Memorial Scholarship Fund of the Birmingham Bar Association, to Canterbury United Methodist Church, or to the charity of your choice.