Theodore E. Holt Jr.

Theodore E. Holt Jr. (Ted), age 84 of Auburn Township, Ohio passed away peacefully on Tuesday, April 2, 2024. Ted was born on July 5,1939 in Parma, Ohio, was the oldest of eleven siblings, and was a 1958 graduate of West Geauga High School in Chesterland, Ohio. Ted worked for Sohio, A&P and Fazio's for several years in Chagrin Falls, where he met and married the love of his life before eventually settling in a home on a dairy farm in Auburn Township and raising five children. Ted enrolled in the police academy at Case Western Reserve University in 1965 and was immediately hired by the Russell Police Department, where he was later promoted to the rank of Sergeant and was also the first police officer in Geauga County to attend and graduate the F.B.I. academy for law enforcement officers in Quantico, Virginia in 1973. Ted was honored with saving the life of a Russell resident by pulling them from a house fire prior to the arrival of the fire department. Ted also worked for the Bainbridge Police Department from 1975-1979. He was hired by the South Russell police Department in 1979, where he completed his thirty four year career in law enforcement and retired at the rank of Sergeant in 1999. After retirement, Ted worked several years for the South Russell Service Department. Ted loved hunting, fishing, gardening, landscaping, muscle cars, and attending drag races at Thompson Raceway, but most of all, he loved his wife, children and grandchildren. Ted was the definition of honesty, integrity, hard work, family values, friendship and love. He is preceded in death by his father, Theodore E. Holt Sr., mother, Esther Holt (nee Vura), son Theodore E. Holt III (Rebecca), brother William, and sister Ruth Radloff (Douglas). He is survived by his wife, Winifred (nee Scott), daughter, Holly Ward (Christopher), sons, Thomas, Michael (Denise), Christopher (Justine), brothers, James (Joan), Eugene (Carolyn), Timothy (Paula), John, and sisters, Linda Mislosky (Wayne), Cheryl Stewart (Michael), Jacklyn Brenick (Chuck), and Deborah Ottman. Ted was grandfather to fourteen grandchildren, seventeen great grandchildren, and an uncle to many nieces and nephews.  Ted's eyes and infectious smile and laugh would light up any room and was loved by so many. Visitation will be on Tuesday, April 9, 2024 from 3pm-7pm at St. Mark Lutheran Church 11900 Chillicothe Rd. Chesterland, Ohio 44026.  A Memorial Service will be held on Wednesday April 10, 2024 at 11am at St. Mark Lutheran Church. The family wishes to have a private burial at Shadyside Cemetery in Auburn Township. Donations can be made to the Women's League of St. Mark Lutheran Church at the above address.