John Clarke Holt

John Clarke Holt, 91, died at his home in Clinton, NJ on December 18, 2022. Jack was born on October 20, 1931, the son of Marjorie Slack Holt and James Thomas Holt. After graduating from Rahway High School in 1948, he had a brief foray in the Norwegian Merchant Marines before serving 4 years in the US Navy. He attended Franklin and Marshall College and graduated from New York University, greatly assisted by the GI Bill.

He and Ann Case were married in June 1957 and Holt Machinery Company was founded in 1958, a family endeavor in which Jack was vice president and sales manager. Not content with working 7 days a week at a growing business, he was also a member of Rahway's Board of Adjustment, elected to the Common Council, and served as president of the Rahway Council of Churches.

In 1970, the Holt family moved to Clinton Township in Hunterdon County, settling on a small farm where Jack and his dear friend, Hank Dahme, learned the art of raising sheep and pigs. Politics again claimed his time as he first served on the committee that wrote the administrative code for the township government and later on the Council, working with the mayor, the legendary Hermia Lechner. On the Board of Adjustment, Jack chaired the many months of negotiations that brought Exxon into the Township. For this effort, he was chosen as the Outstanding Citizen of 1983.

Moving to Clinton Town in 1988 and leaving the Holt Company, Jack obtained a broker's license and founded the John C. Holt Real Estate Agency. He continued his community involvement as a member of the Clinton Board of Adjustment, a trustee for the Red Mill Museum, and a member of the Boards of the County Library and Hunterdon Meals on Wheels. He shared his passion for Warren Buffet's strategies by organizing the Odd Lot Investment Club and occasionally ventured out on his motorcycle. A longtime member of St. Thomas' Church in Pittstown where his wife at one time served as Rector, he was also active in programs at the Episcopal Diocese of New Jersey, a member of the Diocesan Investment Trust and the Loan and Grant Committee.

Although he never did master the banjo, Jack was a person of many talents with skills that ran from shearing sheep to building perfectly balanced mobiles, in the style of Alexander Caulder. His interests ranged from hiking with the Lost Souls group and adding to his remarkable pin collection to studying World War II history. His integrity, common sense, and wry wit were appreciated by all who knew him.

Jack is survived by his wife of 65 years, Ann; his children John Matthew Holt and wife, Megan, Rebecca Gorman and husband, Robert, and Sara Rude, and husband, Peter; grandchildren Justin Holt and wife Tatiana, Cortney Pollara and husband, Magnus, John Engelmann, Katie Rude and Peter Rude; 2 great grandchildren, Magnus and Anthony Pollara. He was predeceased by his brother, James Holt Jr. and sister, Nancy Holt Ruprecht.

Memorial services will be held at 12:00 pm on Saturday, January 7, 2023 at St. Thomas Episcopal Church, 98 Sky Manor Road, Pittstown NJ 08867. Calling hours will be from 10:00 to 11:30 am on Saturday morning, January 7th at the church.

Arrangements are under the direction of Holcombe-Fisher Funeral Home, 147 Main Street, Flemington NJ 08822. For further information or to leave an online condolence, please visit www.holcombefisher.com.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Hunterdon Hospice, 215 Route 31 South, Flemington, NJ 08822 or St.Thomas' Episcopal Church, 98 Sky Manor Road, Pittstown NJ 08867.