Orlando Holt Jr.

Orlando Holt Jr., age 85, of Peoria, Illinois, peacefully departed this life on September 1, 2026 at OSF Saint Francis Hospital surrounded by love with his beloved daughter, Crystal, present interceding in prayer ushering her loving earthly father into His Heavenly Father's loving arms in His eternal Heavenly Home. Heaven Gained.

He was born on September 13, 1940 to Orlando Holt Sr. and Novella Miller-Holt.

Orlando was a proud graduate of Emporia High School, Class of 1960, where he was also a member of the high school football team. He was a hardworking, dedicated, and dependable man who took great pride in providing for his family, serving God and his community.

Orlando retired from Caterpillar after 25 years of dedicated service. His commitment to helping others continued throughout his life never fully retiring. He started his own subcontracting family business, HOLT Industries, and was always willing to lend his time, knowledge, wisdom and helping hands wherever they were needed. No job was too big or too small. Throughout his retirement years, he worked various part-time jobs to stay busy. He stayed physically and socially active. He worked for Walmart as a greeter, District 150 School District as a school bus driver and also as a school crossing guard. He also volunteered for local church events and served at local food pantry distribution centers. Always showing up for those in need and filling in whenever and wherever needed. He ultimately found a job he loved to complete his working career. He worked as an usher for a local funeral home, Davidson-Fulton.

Beyond his accomplishments, Orlando will be remembered most for the gentle, quiet kindhearted man he was. He was a man of Godly character, the oldest son, a loving father, brother, uncle, nephew, and a devoted grandfather and great-grandfather, a dearest loyal friend to many. There was rarely a time when you didn’t hear from him without that unmistakable ring in his voice. His presence, his stories, his laughter, and the way he connected with the people he loved left an impression that will never be forgotten.

Orlando enjoyed smooth jazz music. His favorite jazz musician is Kenny G. He loved traveling domestic and internationally. He was well-versed and well-traveled. He was a sport fanatic. He loved boxing, baseball, basketball, he always bet on the Super Bowl but winning never mattered much to him. It was more like a tradition he shared with close friends. His favorite football team is the Kansas City Chiefs. He considered himself a cowboy and was not shy to all who would listen to the stories he shared about the good ole days of him growing up in Kansas. He loved hunting and fishing. He was athletic and enjoyed staying active and social by walking, jogging, and visiting his local gyms. He was a registered voter and made sure his vote counted. He had a love for working with his hands and was gifted in carpentry, interior painting, interior design, home improvements, woodworking and masonry. Whether he was building something, fixing something, traveling, or simply spending time with family, Orlando had a way of making every moment meaningful.

He leaves to cherish his lifelong memories, his two daughters, Crystal Holt (Peoria Illinois) and Cheryl Chatman (San Leandro, California); 15 grandchildren and 22 great-grandchildren; his brother, Jerry (Sharon) of Kansas City, KS; his nephew and great nephew, Charles Holt Jr and Marcus Holt of Kansas City, KS; a host of extended family members joined by love, and many dear old and new friends all of whom loved him dearly.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Orlando Holt, Sr and Novella Holt, his beloved wife, Hazel Holt; his brothers Charles Holt, Sr and Berryman Holt, his grandson, Marcus Holt; and his sons, Derick(Alicia) Reynolds and Daryl Holt.

Though Orlando has left this earthly life, the love he gave, the lessons he taught, the work of his hands, and the memories he created will continue through every generation he touched.

His voice may be quiet now, but the love and memories he left behind will speak forever.

Funeral services will be Friday, October 2, 2026 at 12 Noon at the Davison-Fulton Woodland Chapel in Peoria. Visitation will be two hours prior to the services on Friday at the funeral home.

Cremation rites will be accorded following the services on Friday.

Rest peacefully, Orlando Holt Jr.

A beloved father, loving grandfather, brother, mentor, and dear friend.

Forever loved. Forever cherished. Forever remembered.

Services are pending.