Jo Ann Holt

Jo Ann Miriam Holt, 85, of Amarillo, passed surrounded by her family on Thursday, October 31, 2024.

A graveside service will be held Monday, November 4, 2024, at 10:00 am at Llano Cemetery in the Pantheon Mausoleum Chapel.  Linda Burnett, Chaplain will officiate. 

Born on August 30, 1939, to Rosalie (Jacobs) Nickoll and Earl Nickoll. Jo Ann spent her early years growing up in suburban Milwaukee, in Shorewood Village, Wisconsin, before moving to Arizona, where she pursued her education at Arizona State University.

Jo Ann’s career in fundraising began with the Arthritis Foundation, where she started the Art for Arthritis fundraiser at the Santa Fe Depot. From there, she went to the Multiple Sclerosis Society as executive director and started events like the MS Walk and MS 150 Bicycle Ride. The Special Olympics became a special love of hers, and she spent many years there raising money for the organization. Jo Ann also loved painting, sculpting, decorating, and cooking.

Jo Ann was a proud member of Temple B’Nai Isreal, Jo Ann’s faith played a significant role in her life. She cherished the community she found there.

Jo Ann married the love of her life, Robert Garland Holt, on May 22, 1977, both remarryingand combining the two families into a blended family. She was proud of all her and Robert’s children and enjoyed spending time with them and her grandchildren.

Jo Ann was preceded in death by her parents, Earl and Rosalie, and Blake Edward Loria, her grandson. She is survived by her loving husband of 47 years, Robert; her children, Geoffrey Weisbart and his wife Melanie, of Austin, Texas, Devra Weisbart of Amarillo, Texas, Nancy Gormley of Amarillo, Texas, John Holt and his wife Ann of Lubbock, Texas, Sally Ann Emerson and her husband Don of Denton, Texas, and many grandchildren.