John Gammon Holt

HOLT, John Gammon, 67, passed away peacefully at home on May 2, 2025, wrapped in the love of his family. John was born and raised in Richmond, Virginia; he also spent several years living in California, where he made lasting memories and connections. John lived a life defined by service, strength, and a heart that never stopped giving.

A proud veteran of the U.S. Navy, John served aboard various naval vessels throughout his military career. Among them, the USS Haddock—a nuclear submarine—held particular significance, leaving a lasting imprint on his character, discipline, and values. His years in uniform remained a source of immense pride, a foundation that carried into a long and respected career in the semiconductor industry. There, he built a strong bond with his coworkers and developed deep friendships; many of whom became like family. His brilliance and relentless work ethic earned him the admiration of colleagues across the country.

But to those who knew him, John's true greatness wasn’t in his résumé, it was in his presence. He was the kind of man whose laughter filled a room, whose wit could catch you off guard, and whose smile could quiet the heaviest day.

He was the kind of person who showed up, for his family, for his friends, for anyone who needed him. He didn’t need grand gestures to make an impact; just a kind word, a good laugh, or a steady hand when life got hard.

He found peace on the water. Whether casting a line, steering a boat, or simply watching the waves, the water called to him in a way that nothing else could. Yet even that quiet joy paled in comparison to the pride he felt for his family. His children and grandchildren were his whole world, and he never missed a chance to brag about them, beam with pride, or just quietly soak in their presence. They were his legacy; his heartbeat. To John, their partners were family too, and he cared for each of them with the same love and pride he held for his own.

John was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Deborah Jeanne Holt, and by his parents, John James Holt and Irma Mae Barker.

He leaves behind a family who will forever carry his spirit forward: his children, Stephan Isaac Marcus Hasson (Jordan), Berkeley Jean Maxey (Matthew), Emily-Anne Mae Jeppesen (Tristan), John James Holt (Justin), Tori Lynn Hinnant (Bryan), and Brittany Michelle Burton; his beloved grandchildren, Ava Maxey, Chase Maxey, Tucker Hasson, Liberty Hinnant, and Waylon Hinnant. He is also lovingly remembered by his sisters, Teresa Sparks and Rebecca Eubank, and by his partner, Kimberly Dell.

To know John was to love him. And to be loved by him was to be blessed beyond measure.

A celebration of his extraordinary life, welcoming friends and family, will be held on May 23, 2025, from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm at Hardywood Park Craft Brewery, West Creek (820 Sanctuary Trail Drive, Richmond, VA 23238), in the Mezzanine.

To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store.