RICHARD HOLT SR.

Longtime resident Richard Edward Holt Sr., 66, died at his home in Talkeetna Aug. 2, 2005. A memorial service will be held at 4 p.m., Aug. 13 at the Talkeetna Senior Center, with a celebration of life reception to follow.

Mr. Holt was born in Phelps, Wis., on March 29, 1939, where he was raised and graduated from Phelps High School. In 1980, he began his residency in Anchorage, where he worked for D & C Repair until 1983.

In 1983, he moved to Talkeetna while remaining to work in Anchorage for Able Excavating. In 1986, he opened and operated his own business in Talkeetna, Holt's House Moving Service, until the time of his death. He received many awards from the community for his charitable work. He enjoyed mechanics, tooling and spending time with his family and dog.

His family wrote, "Richard Papa was loved and respected not only by family and friends, but by the community also. His heart and home were always open to anyone who was in need. He lived by old-fashioned values and still believed a handshake sealed a deal. He worked every day of his life at 110 percent. Every job was a challenge to him and he worked with great pride. Richard loved his work, his family and his cocker spaniel, Sandy."

His wife, Clara Louise Holt, and his parents, Arthur and Mable Holt, preceded him in death.

He is survived by his sons, Richard E. Holt Jr. of Anchorage and Timothy A. Irey of Bellingham, Wash.; daughters, Terri Holt and Angela Sacco, both of Talkeetna; son-in-law, Israel Gregoire of Talkeetna; daughters-in-law, Shelly Holt of Anchorage and Cheri Irey of Bellingham, Wash.; grandchildren, Denise Louise, Curtis, Richard Edward, III and Ryan Edward Holt, Raeleen Suzanne Hales, Morgan, Elizabeth and Hunter Irey, Samuel Joseph Gregoire, and Isaac and Michael Sacco; brothers, Arthur Holt and Chester Irey, and sister, Ardith Whitehead.

Donations may be made to the family in care of Terri Holt, P.O. Box 379, Talkeetna, AK 99676. Arrangements are with Valley Funeral Home & Crematory in Wasilla.