Terry Joseph Holtz

Terry Joseph Holtz, age 60, passed away on Thursday, August 3, 2023, at the Ocean Springs, MS, family home. A Mass of Christian burial will be at Saint Elizabeth Seton Catholic Church, 4900 Riley Road, Ocean Springs, MS, at 11:00 am Saturday, August 5, 2023, preceded by visitation from 10:00 am to 11:00 am at the church. Burial will immediately follow the Mass at Crestlawn Memorial Park Cemetery, Ocean Springs, MS.  A lunch will be served in the parish hall of St. Elizabeth Seton Catholic Church following the burial.

Terry was the oldest son of Jerry and Kathleen (Hermsen) Holtz. Terry was born at the former Schilling Air Force Base, Salina KS on October 11, 1962. He was with his parents through his father's military career, living at nine Air Force bases, including in Canada and Japan. Terry graduated from Ocean Springs High School and the University of Southern Mississippi. He was a graduate of Ohio Northern University law school in Ada OH. He returned to Mississippi and began his work at the Jackson County Youth Court in 2000. He began as an interim prosecutor, then moved on to be the Guardian Ad Litem and conflict attorney. From there he worked with Child Protective Services as a liaison between CPS and parents. In March 2019 he began working as the Parent Representative Attorney until his passing. He was loved by everyone at the Youth Court and will be greatly missed.

He is survived by his mother Kay Holtz of Ocean Springs, his brothers Brian (Melisse) of Los Altos Hills CA and Duane of Gautier MS, and by his favorite sister Nancy Hough, also of Ocean Springs. He was very much loved by his five nieces, Charlie and Morgan Hough of Ocean Springs, and Zoe, Shannon, and Heather Holtz of Los Altos Hills CA. He was also survived by many cousins across the country. He was preceded in death by his father, Jerry Holtz in 2020, his brother-in-law Ronnie Hough, nephew Blake Holtz, his grandparents, and cousins Tim and Ted Strub, Lori Meyer, and Mark Steger. 

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to CASA at the Jackson County Youth Court in Pascagoula, MS. The family would like to thank his nurse Cheyenne of Hospice of Light and his Youth Court family who were very supportive during his illness.

Bradford-O’Keefe Funeral Home is honored to serve the family of Terry Joseph Holtz.