Thomas Roger Holtey, 77, of Wessington Springs, SD, passed away Tuesday, July 21, 2026, at his home in rural Wessington Springs. Arrangements pending with Bittner Funeral Chapel.
Thomas Roger Holtey was born January 16, 1949, to Boyd and Marjorie (Wright) Holtey in San Antonio, TX.
Thomas lived a life grounded in humility, hard work, service, and a strong commitment to his family.
A veteran of the Vietnam War, Thomas answered the call of duty with F Company, 51st Infantry, and later served with the elite Company P, 75th Infantry (Airborne Ranger) as part of Team 1-5. He lived with injuries from his time in service, managing them throughout his life with quiet strength and resilience.
Outside of his military service, he was driven by an active curiosity. He enjoyed studying human cultures through the lens of anthropology, and he was a loyal archivist who spent much of his time researching and documenting genealogy. Above all, Thomas was a humble man dedicated to his home and family.
He passed away on July 21, 2026, at his home in Wessington Springs, South Dakota.
He is survived and deeply missed by his loving wife, Emily; his children, Laura (Holtey) Edeburn, and Nicholas Holtey (fiancé LaDonna Knowlton); and his beloved grandchildren, Oscar, Cooper, and Zoey, who were truly the light of his world.