In memoriam: Missionary emeritus David Lee Holt, 83

David Lee Holt, 1939-2022. IMB Photo

David Lee Holt, an International Mission Board missionary emeritus who shared the gospel in Uganda, died on Aug. 4, 2022, in Little Rock, Arkansas. He was 83.   

Holt was born Jan. 3, 1939, in Blytheville, Arkansas, to the late C.B. and Ann Holt. He graduated with a Bachelor of Music from Ouachita Baptist University in Arkadelphia, Arkansas, and a Bachelor of Divinity from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas.  

On Nov. 23, 1962, Holt married Sandra ‘Sandy’ Lee Pierce. Holt pastored for 36 years in four states. Holt began pastoring Balsora Baptist Church while in seminary. He went on to pastor University Baptist Church in Forth Worth. After finishing seminary, Holt pastored churches in Missouri, Wyoming and Florida. 

After going on several mission trips, David and Sandy felt the Lord calling them to the mission field.  

The Holts were appointed in 1998 by the International Mission Board to serve in Uganda. The focus of their ministry was evangelism, teaching Bible classes and church planting in the capital city, Kampala. While churches existed in Kampala, the focus of their role was to plant new churches as well as strengthen existing ones. Friends remembered Holt’s joy in sharing the gospel, forming close friendships and demonstrating love for his neighbors.  

Holt is survived by his wife of 59 years, Sandy; four daughters, Aimee Smashey (David) of Bolivar, Missouri; Lisa Deckard (Darrell), Holly Holt (David Cabrera) of Houston, Texas, and Andrea Heflin (Jay) of Little Rock, Arkansas; and seven grandchildren.  

A celebration of life service was held at Roller-Chenal Funeral Home in Little Rock, Arkansas, on Sunday, Aug. 7, 2022.  

Read an obituary here.