Roger Farrel Holt, 79, of St. Albans, passed away Thursday, August 13, 2026 following a remarkable journey and a life well lived.
Roger was preceded in death by his parents, Bill and Edith Holt; in-laws, Fred and Louise Keen; his older brother, Frank Holt; and numerous cherished friends and loved ones.
Born on October 16, 1946, in Charleston, WV, Roger was raised alongside his two brothers, Frank and Clint. Their childhood and upbringing created stories that have entertained everyone who knows them. Roger was always eager to share the story about how he and Frank had to share their first car (1957 Plymouth), and how he performed much of the maintenance and put gas in the car but could never drive it as much as Frank because Frank used the car to go on dates. In protest, Roger painted the outside of the car, including the windows and hubcaps, blue. “Frank gets the inside, so I figured the outside was mine. I wanted the car blue, so I painted it blue.” Following high school, Roger enlisted in the United States Air Force and proudly served his country. On July 9, 1971, he married Deborah Barger (Debbie) in Charleston. He told everyone that she was the “greatest wife I could ever ask for.” If there was someone else as gracious, devoted, compassionate, and dedicated as Debbie in Roger’s eyes, he never met them. Together, they had one son, Bill, in 1982.
Roger owned and operated Charleston House Hairstyling Shop for over 45 years. He was a phenomenal barber and was widely known and deeply respected for his skill. He was the personal barber to five WV Governors (some after their term) and was offered the presidential barber position under the Ronald Reagan administration. Roger declined the offer, choosing instead to keep his family in their home state of West Virginia, and to continue operating his own shop. He had an enormous clientele; it would be impossible to count the number of people who found themselves in his chair with their hair in his hands.
When not working, Roger enjoyed hunting, fishing, camping, going to pawn shops, watching westerns, and riding motorcycles, though not in recent years. He was also a devoted member of the Apache Motorcycle Club until he retired. Most importantly, he loved his family and always wanted to spend time with them. Each Christmas, for many years, Roger would deep fry turkeys in his garage. He would recruit Bill, or any other willing person, to go around and deliver the turkeys after. It became a tradition that has been missing in recent years as Roger’s health declined.
Roger was the patriarch of his family in every sense of the word and walked through life with a fierce love and protective hand. He was someone you wanted on your side, and if he was, there was nothing that could keep him from helping you. He made an impression with everyone he met, good or bad.
Left to cherish Roger’s memory and to continue his traditions, are his beloved wife, Debbie; his son and daughter-in-law, Bill and Jamie Holt; grandsons, Jaiden (Emily) Holt, Kaiden Holt; great-grandsons, Draven and Chance Holt; brother, Clint Holt; and nieces and nephews: Eric, Daniel, Jodi, and Kathy. Roger also has several great nieces and nephews and an immeasurable number of friends and former patrons that were touched by his kindness, love, and generosity.
A military service honoring Roger will be held at 3:00 p.m. Friday, September 11, 2026 at Donel C. Kinnard Memorial State Veteran Cemetery.
The family would like to thank everyone who has reached out for all their love and support. Additionally, thank you to Hospice Care for the care they provided Roger over the past months. Please consider performing a random act of kindness in Roger’s memory – pay for the car in front of you at the drive thru or for someone’s cart at Wal-Mart, smile at strangers, share joy, check in on your neighbors and friends you have lost touch with. And, in true Roger Holt fashion, always stand your ground.
