Business executive, educator, and attorney was community stalwart

January 22, 1941 — January 31, 2026 

  

Donald Henry Holt was born in Cleveland January 22, 1941, the first of three children born to Lolia Edith and Randall N. Holt. Both parents preceded him in death.

Donald graduated from East High School in 1958 and entered John Carroll University. While at JCU he enrolled in the Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC). After graduating with a bachelor’s degree in accounting, Don joined the United States Army and served two years in active duty. Following his honorable discharge, Don returned home and began his career at East Ohio Gas Company working his way up to become assistant to the company president. While working at East Ohio and later as VP of HR at Premier Industries, Donald found time to earn both master’s and law degrees from the University of Akron.

Donald was recruited by David N. Myers College in Cleveland where he served as Dean of Students, in addition to teaching courses in accounting and business law. Donald found his niche at Myers, helping the students and exposing them to traveling the US and occasionally abroad. Having passed the bar, he decided to practice law full-time and started his own private practice.

During his life Donald was an officer, contributor and member of many organizations including the Urban League and Alpha Phi Alpha. He was a founding member of Blacks in Management, a professional support group for African Americans who were often the “only” executive working in the hostile environment of upper management in the early days of integration in corporate America.

Donald continued his law practice until 2019 when a stroke moved him to the sidelines. He lived a quiet life at home until his transition.

On May 23, 1970, Donald and Dianne Ruth Williford were united in holy matrimony. They were happily married for 50 years before her death.

Left to cherish his memory are his brother, Ronald E. (Marta) of Van Nuys, CA, his sister, Sharon M., of Shaker Hts., OH; brother-in-law, Richard (Windella) Conyers, GA; four nieces, a nephew, three cousins and a host of dear friends.

The funeral service will be held at 1:30p on Thursday, February 12, 2026, at E. F. Boyd & Son Funeral Home and Crematory, 25900 Emery Road [44128]. A 1p family visitation period will precede the service.

 

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