Who we are

The John Wesley Holt Foundation was created to honor the life, character, and legacy of John Wesley Holt by turning loss into lasting impact. Through justice reform, community engagement, and educational opportunity, the Foundation works to protect lives, support families, and create meaningful change.

John Wesley’s Story

John Wesley Holt was tragically killed in a hit-and-run on February 21, 2023. A 2021 graduate of St. Luke’s Episcopal School, John Wesley was known not only for his many accomplishments, but for the way he lived his life—with purpose, loyalty, and an unwavering commitment to others.

At St. Luke’s, John Wesley was a leader in every sense of the word. He was an All-American soccer player, a member of the varsity soccer and cross-country teams, an outstanding scholar, and an active participant in student government, holding the title of class president for five consecutive years beginning in eighth grade. He was recognized with numerous honors, including the Good Citizenship Award, and achieved the rank of Eagle Scout during his senior year.

John Wesley continued that same spirit of leadership and service at the University of South Alabama, where he was a sophomore majoring in Electrical Engineering at the time of his passing. He was actively involved on campus, serving on the First Year Council and as a member of the Sigma Chi Fraternity.

More important than any title or achievement, John Wesley is remembered for who he was. He was generous with his time and talents, fiercely loyal to those he loved, and never passed on an opportunity to help a friend in need. He filled many roles in the lives of those around him: advisor, confidant, encourager, jokester. He brought light and laughter wherever he went. In his final act of selflessness, John Wesley gave the gift of life through organ donation, continuing his lifelong purpose of helping others.

Our Mission

The John Wesley Holt Foundation exists to ensure that John Wesley’s legacy lives on through action. A central focus of the Foundation is advocating for stronger hit-and-run laws to ensure real accountability when a crash results in death or severe harm.

Currently, fleeing the scene of such a crime can carry consequences that fail to reflect the gravity of the loss suffered by victims and their families. The Foundation is working to change this by advocating for legislation that elevates hit-and-run resulting in death or severe injury from a Class C felony to a Class A felony, modeled after Florida law. This change is about justice and protecting lives — so that no family is left without accountability when the unthinkable occurs.

A young child with blond hair sitting on a kitchen counter, eating a snack and smiling at the camera, with kitchen cabinets, a window, and various kitchen items in the background.
Young man wearing a white tuxedo with a black bow tie, smiling, with slightly messy dark hair, indoors with a painting or photograph in the background.
Five young men standing together outdoors on a cloudy day, smiling, with a view of a city and mountains in the background.
A young boy sitting on an adult man's shoulders at night, with holiday lights in the background, smiling at the camera.
Soccer player preparing to kick the ball on the field with a teammate in the background.
A young woman and young man taking a selfie outside in front of a bush with pink flowers, smiling and wearing casual clothes and backpacks.
Three young men wearing white tuxedos with black bow ties and black pants, standing in front of a brick wall with gray window shutters, smiling at the camera.
Students working in a science laboratory, wearing gloves and aprons, conducting experiments with petri dishes and laboratory equipment at a black lab table.
A young man and woman sitting together, smiling and hugging on foam peanuts, with a white backdrop with the year 2023 written on it in blue.
Four young boys wearing red soccer uniforms and gold medals stand on a grassy field, smiling with their arms around each other.
A young man sitting on a beige couch, holding a sleeping baby on his lap, with a door with glass panels in the background.
Three people smiling, a man with a beard on the left, a teenage boy on the right, and a young boy with glasses in the middle, standing under a wooden shelter with green trees and parking lot in the background.
A woman with dark hair holding a sleeping newborn baby on her lap, sitting on a patterned couch in a cozy room.
Three young boys dressed in Cub Scout uniforms standing close together at a gathering in a gymnasium. They are surrounded by other people, some standing and some walking, with tables and chairs visible in the background.
A man in a blue polo shirt, pink pants, and a white visor is swinging a golf club on a grassy golf course.
A young male soccer player in a black and red uniform receiving flowers and a soccer ball from a woman, with an older man standing beside him on the field.
A group of young men wearing athletic clothing and backpacks walking on a track with flags and spectators around them.
Group of young boys at night on a football field, some holding footballs, posing for a photo, stadium lights overhead, football game in the background.
A male soccer player on the field wearing a black and red jersey with the number 4, black shorts, and black socks, standing on green grass during a game or practice, with spectators and people sitting under a blue tent in the background.
Young man wearing sunglasses, a backwards cap, a white t-shirt, and shorts, holding a large fish with vertical black and white stripes, standing on a boat in a waterway with grassy banks and a partly cloudy sky.
A young boy sitting on a tree branch in a snowy forest, wearing sunglasses, a red jacket, and shorts.

Contact us

If you have questions about our scholarships, runs, or other endeavors, please contact us using this form. Thank you for being part of our community and for helping us carry John Wesley’s legacy forward.