David M. Holt, Sr.

The funeral service honoring the life of David Milton Holt, Sr. retired Delta Air Lines employee with 42 years of service, will be held at 1 p.m. Monday, January 21 at A.S. Turner & Sons in Decatur. Burial will follow at Crest Lawn Cemetery in Atlanta. Born November 16, 1917 the youngest of eleven brothers and sisters delivered to Robert Jefferson and Dora Milton Holt of Decatur, Mr. Holt ("Big Dave" as he was known to all who knew and loved him) spent his formative years in a home on Emerson Avenue, a short walk from downtown Decatur. A star athlete at Decatur High School he excelled in baseball and basketball, was an active Boy Scout who achieved Eagle Scout status, and held his first job alongside his father at the Standard Hat Company on Pryor Street in Downtown Atlanta. As with most members of America's Greatest Generation, 1941 was a year that transformed Dave Holt's life. On February 1, 1941 Dave joined the staff of a small startup air carrier, Delta Air Lines, Inc., which had recently relocated to Atlanta from Monroe, Louisiana. One of the first 750 employees and a close acquaintance of Delta founder C.E. Woolman, he remained with the company for 42 years, retiring as System Maintenance Coordinator in 1983. His love for Delta Air Lines remains, to this very day, an important part of his legacy. It was Dave's love for a certain individual that most clearly defined his life and legacy. On June 5, 1941, Dave married Constance Venable Mitchell, the daughter of William Hill Venable, whose family once owned Stone Mountain. The newly married couple soon relocated to Hapeville, a small town adjacent to the growing Atlanta Municipal Airport. They built a house on Argo Drive that quickly became a home for their three children, a number of stray cats and dogs, and many of the children from the local neighborhood. Dave remained married to Connie for more than five decades until her passing in July of 1996, shortly after their 55th anniversary. "Dave was always full of life, never met a stranger, and loved to share stories and jokes," said Dave's daughter, Leslie Dunn of Flowery Branch. He enjoyed playing golf and could most often be found socializing and playing the game he loved at the local municipal course in College Park. Surviving are his three children, son David Milton Holt, Jr., son William Jefferson and spouse Debbie Ann Holt, daughter Leslie Constance and spouse Terry Michael Dunn; four grandchildren Jeff and spouse Lana Holt, Glynnis Holt, Tyler Holt, and Martin Holt; and one nephew, Mitchell Brannen. The family will receive friends at A.S. Turner & Sons in Decatur on Sunday, January 20 between 5:30-7:30 p.m. Donations may be made in lieu of flowers to Children's Healthcare of Atlanta (www.choa.org) or the Atlanta Junior Golf Association (www.atlantajuniorgolf.org). A. S. Turner & Sons