Julian B. Holt

Julian Brevard Holt, M.D. left this world peacefully and surrounded by his loving family on December 23, 2024, at the age of 87. Born in Cadillac, Michigan, in 1937, to Ted and Irene Holt, years later the family moved to Sacramento, CA, where Julian attended Christian Brothers High School. Graduating with the Class of 1954, he had many fond memories, as well as a lifelong dedication to generously giving back to his community. After attending Sacramento State College and UCD, he attended UCSF and received a Bachelor of Science in 1959, the same year he met Diane, whom he would marry in 1961. After receiving his Doctor of Medicine from UCSF in 1962, and completing an internship at San Francisco General Hospital, he served with the U.S. Public Health Service in Nogales, Arizona, and New Orleans, Louisiana. Returning to UCSF, he completed a residency in Diagnostic Radiology, and received board certification in Diagnostic Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, then moved back to Sacramento with his young family and joined the staff at American River Hospital for 22 years, where he was also President of the Medical Staff, Member of the Board of Trustees, and Chief of Radiology. After the closure of American River Hospital, he joined the staff of the Permanente Medical Group, and for the next 10 years served as President of the Medical Staff of Kaiser Permanente South Sacramento Medical Center, member of the Board of Directors of Permanente Medical Group, Chief of Radiology, and recipient of the Dan B. Moore award for excellence, before taking a well-earned retirement in 2002.

In retirement, and with their children grown, Julian and Diane travelled abroad, and enjoyed visiting foreign countries, but Julian’s favorite trips were driving their camper through the American Southwest, Mexico, and Canada. He loved skiing, hiking, cycling, gardening, and tracking down ancient petroglyph sites and wagon train tracks. His greatest joy was spending time with his family and his five grandchildren to whom he was a source of wisdom, encouragement, and love. Life with Julian was always an adventure. He would lead the way up mountain trails and down ski runs, while friends and family scrambled to keep up with his boundless energy, wit, and wisdom. He is survived by Diane, his wife and best friend of 63 years, his son and daughter-in-law, Peter and Bethany Holt, his daughter and son-in-law , Alissa and Morgan Gire, and five grandchildren, Alana, Bret, Truman, Griffin, and Hudson. He was pre-deceased by his parents, Ted and Irene Holt, his brother, Rollin Holt, and his son, Ted Holt. A devoted husband, loving father and grandfather, and cherished member of the community he so generously supported, he will be missed by all who were lucky enough to know him. Private funeral services were held