TP Holt, 57, of China Spring, passed away unexpectedly Wednesday, August 14, 2024 in Waco.
Visitation: 6pm-8pm Monday August 19th at Lake Shore Funeral Home
Funeral Service: 10am Tuesday August 20th at Lake Shore Funeral Home Chapel. CLICK HERE to view the Live Stream of the service. A private family interment will follow at China Spring Cemetery.
TP was born in Waco on November 7, 1966 to Terry and Jerry Holt. TP attended China Spring ISD all 12 years, graduating from China Spring High School in 1985. TP followed his Dad’s footsteps and went to work for the Texas Department of Transportation. He was fortunate enough to work alongside his Dad in the sign shop for several years. TP retired from TXDOT in 2021 with over 36 years of dedicated and loyal service. After retirement, he worked part time at Lakeshore Estates Retirement Home. TP loved working there with the elderly, driving a bus taking the residents shopping, to doctor’s appointments and other activities. He had such a great heart for the people there.
On July 21, 2018, TP married his beautiful wife, Melissa, in Crawford. TP and Melissa made their home in China Spring. TP and Melissa brought their families together and dedicated their lives to providing a great life for their children and grandchildren.
TP was a true family man. He loved his wife, his parents, children and grandchildren beyond measure. His unwavering love for his family showed in every action he took and every conversation he had. That strong high value of family lives on in his kids. It is something that has been instilled in them since day one. He would not have it any other way.
TP coached every sport his kids played. For many years that meant two or more teams at once. It did not matter if it was football, basketball, baseball and softball, TP coached them all. He even helped his children coach teams as they got older and started coaching. Over the last few years, as his grandchildren have reached the age to play sports, he was always eager to help coach them as well.
Several hundred kids in China Spring have had the privilege of being coached by Coach TP. He taught life lessons and loved every child he coached as if they were his own. He made sports fun and enjoyable.
TP was larger than life. He was the kindest, gentlest person you would ever meet. TP always had a hug or a handshake for everyone. He was a true friend to everyone he met. It did not matter if you knew TP for only a few minutes or a lifetime, he treated everyone the same. TP was so unique it would be impossible to find someone with one negative thing to say about him.
TP had a servant’s heart. Not only did TP coach youth sports, he served and volunteered hundreds of hours on several boards to help the youth of China Spring and surrounding areas. TP served on the Board of Directors for China Spring Youth Athletic Assoc., Heart of Texas Football League, China Spring Athletic Booster Club, and was current President of the Central Texas Horseshoe Pitcher’s Assoc., where he was a crucial part of the success of the club. TP’s infectious personality was instrumental in recruitment of new members not only to our area but to the state as well. TP was a machine when it came to pitching horseshoes. He won more championships than you could count.
TP was a proud China Spring Cougar, Texas Longhorn and Dallas Cowboy fan. Rarely did you see him in any color other than Cougar blue, burnt orange or navy, silver and white. Most conversations were ended with either a “Go Cougs!”, “Hook’em Horns!” or “How ‘Bout Them Cowboys!” TP could be found at almost all China Spring Athletic events cheering on the Cougars. TP was born with Cougar Blue running through his veins. He was “all in” for the youth and success of all things China Spring. TP attended numerous Texas Longhorn and Dallas Cowboy games where he made lifelong memories with family and friends.
TP leaves behind a legacy for his family. Generations of TP’s descendants will talk about him. He will be loved and missed for years to come. To those that knew TP you know what it means to be “a great person”. “BE LIKE TP. Leave a legacy.”
His father, Terry Holt; and grandparents, Orezen and Jean Wright, and Melba Briggs, preceded TP in death.
Survivors include his wife, Melissa Holt; sons, Cody Holt and wife Lauren, Clay Holt; daughter, Karly Culpepper and husband Holdan; bonus children, daughter, Katelyn Sharp and husband Michael, and son, Bradley Mitchell; grandchildren, Hadley and Hyland Holt, Joshua Donahue, and Koen Sharp; loving mother, Jerry Holt; sisters Jennifer Kessler and husband Peter, Tracy Rushing and husband Robbie; and a large loving family of aunts, uncles, nieces , nephews, and cousins.
Pallbearers will be Bradley Mitchell, Bobby Gholson, Brady Wiggins, Brian Schronk, Brian Wood, Chad Gilstrap, Joe Villa, and Paul Wiggins.
Honorary Pallbearers are Peter Kessler, Colton Kessler, Connor Kessler, John Novak, Rusty Novak, Evan Novak, Bobby Martin, Todd Kroll and Jon Salter.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to China Spring Youth Athletic Association (PO BOX 309 China Spring, TX 76633) or Texas Horseshoe Pitchers Assoc. – JR. Scholarship Fund (payable to THPA, 3302 N Sun Circle, Rogers, TX 76569) on TP Holt’s behalf.
Place of Service: Lake Shore Funeral Home Chapel , 5201 Steinbeck Bend; Waco, TX 76708
Print Obituary & Condolences
You will be greatly missed TP. We will never forget spending many Wednesday & Friday evenings with you and our friends. Sending hugs & prayers to all family & friends who will miss you dearly, We will see you again one day 🤍
We are so saddened by the loss of such a great guy! Sending prayers of peace and comfort for the family!
T. P. Was a great man and one that I called my friend. Some of my great memories of him were when I coached summer baseball with Coach Henry and Coach T. P.
R. I. P. TP. You will be missed.
Sending our deepest condolences to all of the Holt family. We are very sorry for your tremendous loss and will be thinking of you in the days, weeks and months ahead.
I was so sad when I heard of TP’s passing. I went to school with TP and graduated with him. He was never anything other than kind. He will be missed by so many, and the light, from his love & kindness he leaves behind burns so brightly. My prayers to all of TP’s family.
Sending prayers for your family’s loss.
Jerry, I am so sorry for your loss. I don’t remember many students younger than I am. But I have known TP I guess all his life .Did not see him much but when I ran into him, he always greeted me with a smile. Also, your parents were wonderful people and I know they are having a great reunion.
Love and Prayers ,
Debbie Mathis Harris
Earl and I have known TP since before his children were born. Our connection was Through the Waco Horseshoe Club.
We are honored to have been counted as friends. TP was sweet and loving to everyone and so good natured. He will be so missed by all who knew him.
We are sorry for your loss.
Earl and Linda Royal
11032 Hwy 6
Meridian, TX 76665
I had the pleasure of being a classmate and teammate with TP from 7th-12th grade. He was always a leader and great teammate in sports. I did not know TP as well after our years at CSHS, but the story of his life does not surprise me that he was true servant leader. I will cherish my lifetime memories of the time we shared and proud to hear of his legacy he has left on his family and many other young athletes . ✝️🙏
So sorry for the lost of TP. He put a smile on my face everyday at work. Praying for the his family. TP will be missed but always loved.
My deepest condolences to your family. May God be with you during this time.
I am so sorry for your loss. Prayers and hugs for your family.
TP, you will be missed, my friend. Heaven has gained another angel. To the family, you are in my prayers!
Sending Prayers and our Condolences to the family of TP Holt. 🙏🏽❤️
Beverly Wright, Adrian , Keegan, and Christopher
San Marcos, Texas
Thank you so much Ms Beverly.
Rest in peace “bud”. One of the true great men I had the pleasure of knowing. Till the meat time “bud”
TP will be missed dearly he was a wonderful man and father to his children and grandchildren.The family are in our thoughts and prayers.He’s your guardian angel.
We were sad to hear about TP. We all had the pleasure of working together at TxDot with him and his Dad Terry.
TP was and will always be known as the funniest and nicest person. We enjoyed him alot and were
sorry to hear of his passing. We will keep your family and friends in our prayers for
provide comfort and peace for you all.
Chris and Michele Starr & Family.
TP you will be greatly missed by so many including me. Even though I thought you were a bit rough on me at times during our years of working together at TxDOT, it was always in good fun and jest. You definitely made me laugh more than my fair share and I think it was mutual. My circle of friends is not that great but you were a great part of it. I will see you in heaven someday TP. If you meet my wife Marietta, please tell her I miss her greatly. My sincere condolences to Melissa and the entire family.
You will be missed by every single person who was blessed to know you, TP. We will cherish the many wonderful memories that we have with you. Your legacy will live on forever.
Terry Paul, my friend you will be missed, from riding motorcycles, playing softball, baseball, basketball and football together in the vacant lots in Valley View, to our three years together fighting for the Cougar Blue in many sports, to later in life drinking a beer at Lakeside or Taqueria and rooting on the Cougars, Horns and Cowboys your are someone I will always call my friend.
Thank you for everything you put into life.
Norm
Raising this family up in prayer… TP took everyone’s love with him when he left and those left behind get to keep forever the love he so openly gave them. He blessed every person he came in contact with with a pat on the back and a “good to see you”!
From the moment I heard about TP, I was devastated! You were such an awesome person that I am so glad I could call a friend! To work with you and your dad was such a great experience! Thank you so much for always asking about Tylor and wanting to hear about his baseball adventures!! My heart breaks for your entire family!!! Big prayers for yall!
I knew Terry from bus rides to Walmart and doctors’ appointments. He always made sure we were on time to everything. He went out of his way to accommodate all of our needs when he could. He took interest in our health, asking how appointments went.
He was a good man who loved his wife and family, who are in my thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.
Terry will be missed by many. May God bless him and his family.
RIP TP. Always enjoyed you and your family. You touched many lives with your kindness and gentle spirit.
My son lost his best friend and his heart is broken. My family will be praying for you melissa and all of the family. TP was a great guy so sad to lose him
TP you will be greatly missed. I remember when I started TXDOT 28 years ago you were the person they paired me up with my first day. I was a young green kid straight out of high school. I was nervous and you were sitting there trying to make me laugh. I’ll never forget that day. We went different directions in our paths with TXDOT. But ended up being partners again with the signal shop. I enjoyed working with you though seven years . I never knew what you were going to say or do. The day you put Pollard in a headlock was the greatest. The day you told me you were retiring. It made me sad. I will miss you buddy.
You are in our hearts and prayers.
I only new Terry a short time and he truly is a wonderful person. He will be missed from the Lakeshore residents. Prayers being sent for family, loved ones and friends .
Prayers for all of the family and friends that lost a great one. We definitely enjoyed all the time we got to spend with T.P. It was always around family and friends. You were a true friend to anyone you met and a great family man. You will be missed dearly, but always remembered with the many stories you created with everyone. God Bless.
Terry was a bright light to us old folks at Lake Shore. He always had a smile on his face and friendly word. Saw to it that we got to the store and appointments on time. Even took a few of us to Winstar one time, and we had fun talking about bowling. He bowled when he was a kid and remembered my deceased husband, Charlie Vestal, from way back then. Everyone here at Lake Shore Retirement (Now Asher) misses him a lot. Our condolences to his family. RIP Terry!
My sincere sympathy, Jean Vestal
Melissa,
I’m so sorry for your loss. You and the family are in my thoughts and prayers.
Our deepest apologies condolences to the family. TP was always a gentleman with a great heart. One that will be truly missed.