Timothy J. Holst

Timothy J. Holst died April 16 in Sao Paulo, Brazil. Born on Oct. 9, 1947, in Galesburg, Ill., the second son of Francis Paul and Constance Lindbloom Holst, Tim Holst graduated from high school there in 1965. He studied as a drama major at Ricks College (Brigham Young University-Idaho), where he won honors for leadership and acting while earning an associate degree. Serving as a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Holst spent the next two and a half years in the Stockholm, Sweden Mission. In 1969, Holst resumed his studies as a theater major at Utah State University (USU) in Logan, Utah.While earning acclaim for major roles performing at a summer playhouse, Holst was encouraged to apply for admission to the famed Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Clown College in Venice, Fla. Following graduation and a successful audition, Holst began his long 37-year love affair with the circus as a performing Clown, Singing Ringmaster, Performance Director, Production Coordinator and most recently to Vice President of Talent & Production for all circus productions of Feld Entertainment, the show’s owner, a position he held at the time of his death. It was a personal source of pride that he ultimately earned his Bachelor of Fine Arts from USU. A lifelong member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Holst was currently serving as Executive Secretary of the Lakewood Ranch Ward in Sarasota, FL. A beloved father, grandfather, brother, uncle and friend;Tim is loved and missed by so many. Holst was preceded in death by his parents, Francis and Constance Holst. He is survived by his three children: Megan Holst of Marblehead, MA; Adrienne Holst of Dallas, TX; and Matthew Holst of Dallas, TX; a brother, Thomas (Holly) Holst, Luanda, Angola; sister Sandra Cordon, Salt Lake City, UT; nephew Paul Cordon, Miami; and grandson, Benjamin Holst of Marblehead, MA. Condolences may be emailed to [email protected].