Burlin Cornelius Holt, 91, of Colton, CA went to be with the Lord on February 4, 2013. He passed in Redlands, peacefully in his sleep. He was born December 29, 1921 in Alicia, Arkansas. One of seven children, he was the son of Estel Nathaniel Holt and Ora Workman Holt of Alicia, Arkansas. Burlin Holt met his wife, Dorothy Heine at a dance in Redlands, CA. They married on October 4, 1943. Burlin soon left to serve in the Merchant Marines in WWII and Dorothy began a career at General Telephone Co. Upon return from the war, Burlin was employed by General Telephone Co. In 1954 he became a licensed thoroughbred horse trainer. In 1960 Burlin and Dorothy had their only child, Garner. In 1976, Burlin and Dorothy supported and encouraged him to start his own business. They proudly watched the business grow over the next 35 years. Burlin retired from horse training in 2006.
Burlin Holt was an amazing horseman. He devoted his life to horse racing, and between 1954 and 2006, he raced his own horses, or horses he trained for others, in over 620 races, at tracks such as; Los Alamitos, Santa Anita, Ruidoso Downs, and others.
He regularly raced at smaller tracks on the “fair circuit” throughout Southern California & Arizona. He was profiled in many news articles, and was crowned “King of the Bush Tracks” by the Salinas Californian. For decades he raised and trained his horses at the old “La Carrera” stables in Redlands, CA. He had many valued friends in the horse racing world, and considered many as family. In addition to horses, he loved all animals, especially dogs. He raised peacocks, pheasants, calves, and exotic animals, such as ostriches, llamas, and Canadian timber wolves. His love of animals, horses and horse racing was shared by his loving devoted wife, Dorothy Holt, his wife of 67 years. She supported him and their son Garner in all their crazy business ventures!
He is survived by his son Garner, of Colton. He is also survived by 1 brother, Bonny L. Holt and 3 sisters, Nelma (Sis) Freeman, Lavon Hathaway, and Donna Purcell, as well as many nieces and nephews. He was pre-deceased by his wife, Dorothy Holt on July 1, 2011, his brother J.R. Holt in September 2009, his mother Ora Holt in 1996, his father Estel Holt in 1982 and his brother J.T. Holt in August 1921.
Services will be held on Saturday, February 16, 2013 at 11:30am at Mt. View Mortuary & Cemetery Chapel, located at 570 E. Highland Avenue, San Bernardino, Ca. 92404.
Contributions in his memory may be made to San Bernardino Baptist Church.
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