John Francis Holt, 69, passed away from cancer peacefully in his home in Stevensville, MT while surrounded by loved ones on July 8, 2021. He was born in Carlsbad, New Mexico on September 22nd 1951 to Zona and Francis Holt. John was awarded the cutest baby award and his picture was displayed in the local paper. His family moved to South Pasadena, California when he was a young boy for his father’s career. John worked with some friends as a merchant marine for a short time in his younger years and met Lynda Canfield in 1975 in Scotts Valley, California. They moved to the desert in 1978 and were married in 1980 at the Pack Station in Olancha, CA. John adopted Lynda’s kids as his own and helped raise them.
John and Lynda had countless adventures in California. John took a horse farrier class and was a volunteer firefighter. In 1984, John and Lynda decided to move to Stevensville, MT to raise their family. They separated in 2001. John met Jennifer Polanchek in the fall of 2004 and they share a son, Jack Polanchek. Jennifer and her son Jack currently live in Boise, ID. At the time of John’s death, he was sharing a home with Jackie Goren. John and Jackie started dating in 2006 and shared a wonderful life together. They met at her bar and together they ran the Full Moon Saloon in Stevensville, MT for many years until they decided to sell in 2018 and enjoy retirement.
John thoroughly lived his life. He was adventurous to say the least. At 18 years old he hitch-hiked across the US and into Canada and then down the east coast. After his journey, John lived in a treehouse at a hippie commune in Kauai.
One of his favorite hobbies was river rafting. He owned several boats, rafts, and kayaks. He and Jackie shared many float trips together. One of their favorites was floating on the Bitterroot River. John also enjoyed gardening, hiking, hunting, fishing, camping, golfing, cooking, and spending time with family and friends.
John also had many jobs throughout his life. He was a skilled carpenter who was known for his finish work. He taught his son Matt the trade as well and they worked on many jobs together. John was an exuberant bartender as well, always insisting that you try his “hot vodka.” John was hilarious and was certainly the life of the party. He was known by a couple of nick names, “Johnny Hanna,” for his delicious stir fry dinners and “The Soup Nazi” for his incredible homemade soups. He was a superb cook and had a signature spicy mustard he made that his family called “Grandpa’s Mustard.”
John was preceded in death by his parents Zona and Francis Holt, his brother Doyle Holt and brother-in-law Kerry Mersch. He is survived by his partner Jackie Goren, his daughter, Traci Jolly (Bill), his sons, Matt Lanes (Loretta) and Jack Polanchek, his sisters, Sharon Miller (Tom) and Brenda Mersch, his grandchildren, Cassie Neubauer (Cole), Keely Jolly, Alyssa Jolly, Tanner Jolly, Riley Lanes, Drew Lanes and Beth Autrey-Gonzalez (Alfred) and his great-grandchild, Wyatt Neubauer, his nephews, Andrew Holt, Jeremy Mac Nair, Scott Mersh, Ken Mersh and his niece Jennifer Berkman.
There will be no funeral service as his family and friends gathered on July 3rd to celebrate his life with him. It was a spectacular evening and a perfect way to say goodbye. John was a loved man; he was thoughtful and caring. He will forever be in the hearts of those who knew him and deeply missed.