Austin’s Daily Commentary – Retired CSRA Principal Passes

Austin: A name popped up in an obituary yesterday that I had not seen in years. I was shocked because, my goodness gracious, when I knew this man, I thought he was 60 years old at least. No. In fact, he was in his early forties. His name was Arvil Holt, and he was my principal in third and fourth grade at Curtis Baptist School.

I look at his obituary, and I see now that he served as headmaster or principal for forty years at two different schools, nine at a school in at Lakeview Baptist School, and then thirty-one years at Curtis Baptist. He retired in 1997 to his South Augusta home, and he and his wife built a one-room schoolhouse replica, the old-fashioned kind, and would invite school students to spend the day like they were going to school back in 1912.

He and his wife enjoyed teaching over 2,500 students in 108 different groups over the years in that one-room schoolhouse. Unfortunately, poor health made him cease that a few years ago, but can you imagine how many students in over a forty-year period of being a principal and a headmaster he was able to influence and assist? My goodness, I can tell you he was a great principal while I had him.

I was terrified of the man, and that's that's good because I was a little bit of a rambunctious kid. But I did, absolutely have a respect and fear of mister Holt that I guarantee you most school kids today do not have for their administrators.

Arvil Holt, what a great name for a principal and a wonderful man too. Beloved by his family, leaving behind dozens of grandchildren and great-grandchildren alike. My goodness gracious. What a legacy. Arvil Holt, a life well lived, leaving the world at 92, a principal for 40 years. God bless him.

And that's the comment. I'm Austin Rhodes. 95.1 FM News Talk, WGAC.