Knox W. Holt

WISCONSIN DELLS/PORTAGE – Knox W. Holt, age 88, of Wisconsin Dells/Portage, and formerly of Phillips, WI, was called home to be with his Heavenly Father in the early morning of Saturday, June 15, 2024. Knox was born March 25, 1936, in Fayetteville, TN. He was the fifth child of Paul B. Holt, Sr., and J. Etta Pearson. When they divorced, his mother married Wiley Bunn, whom Knox called dad and loved dearly.

On April 7, 1956, he married Jean LaVoie, the love of his life and constant companion for 60 years. Knox met Jean in Chicago, married her in Mississippi, and traveled west to California. In 1971, after experiencing the early morning 6.6-magnitude earthquake in Los Angeles, they moved to a cottage on Solberg Lake in Phillips, WI, to be closer to her family. There, he discovered a passion for muskie fishing! The elusive ‘fish of ten-thousand casts’ never shied away from Knox’s bucktail! He also enjoyed targeting walleye and bass, teaching his kids to fish, and taking yearly trips to Canada with his fishing buddies. He always had photos in his lunchbox to back up his fish stories.

Knox and Jean worked at Phillips Plastics Corporation, forming many friendships far beyond their move to Wisconsin Dells in 1985. He spent the rest of his working days as a material handler for Penda, Trienda, and Spartech in Portage. After retirement, Knox enjoyed working at Sherwood Forest Campground in the Dells. During his 23 seasons there, he welcomed everyone and had many special friendships with the campers. Thank you to everyone at the campground who loved him and let him love you, too.

Knox moved to Our House Senior Living Assisted Care in Wisconsin Dells a little over three years ago. Their care for him was second to none. He brought joy to those he met. He loved forming friendships, singing to staff, tending to flowers, sharing smiles, and making people laugh. To all the staff and visitors who gave their time and love to him, I hope you know that he loved you back and grew to love living there and being ‘home.’ Special thanks to Barb and Steven Baker; he cherished his time with you and would always tell us about your visits.

The family would like to extend a heartfelt thanks to his team from Moments Hospice, his team from Inclusa, and all the staff of Our House for the above-and-beyond care and support they provided; words can never convey our gratitude. We would be remiss if we didn’t thank Dr. Daniel Trotter for the years of caring for Knox’s medical needs. He greatly admired you and Dr. Brenda Blohm, whom he always enjoyed visiting.

 Preceding him in death were his wife, Jean; his parents; brothers, Paul Jr., Cecil, Jo Ray, PeeWee, Rolly, and Burke; sisters, Wilma and Shirley; many beloved in-laws; and numerous other relatives and friends. Knox is survived by his children, Kim Henderson and David Holt; his granddaughter, Nicole (Aric) Campbell; his great-granddaughters, Carlie Audiss (Jackson Syens); Sarah and Ashley Campbell; great-grandson, Anthony Campbell; and bonus great-granddaughter, Becca (Ashley’s BFF); sisters, Rosetta, Martha Jo, Dolly, and Patricia; sister-in-law, Ellyn; brothers-in-law, Doug and Kenneth; many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Throughout his life, he would tell people about the time in his mid-teens when he didn’t know where to turn for help, but he came upon a Gideon Bible, which changed his life forever. Due to his little reading and writing knowledge, he struggled greatly, yet he poured himself into the Bible and developed a love for God’s Word that remained with him until his last breath. Knox wanted everyone to know that he may be unable to do what he once did, but he was still God’s kid. Thank you, Gideons, for spreading God’s Word. In place of flowers, the family would graciously accept donations to Gideons International (https://gideons.org/donate). Praise God for His mercy, grace, faithfulness, unconditional love, and this blessing we call ‘Dad.’

The Pflanz Mendrala Funeral Home in Portage is assisting the family. The memorial service will be held on Sunday, July 21, at 1:30 p.m., at Crosspoint Assembly of God Church, 2727 County Road CX in Portage, WI. A noon luncheon will precede the memorial service, and visitation will occur during the lunch until the service. The inurnment will be private.