The Bandera County Commissioners Court is accepting applications for the Precinct 4 Justice of the Peace position following the sudden passing of Judge Lynn Holt on Dec. 5. The decision to fill the vacancy was discussed at the court's regular meeting on Dec. 12.
County Judge Richard Evans emphasized the court’s responsibility in appointing a replacement.
“It’s the Court’s obligation in appointing someone to do that. There is no timeline. It’s up to the Court to establish the method,” Evans said.
Commissioner Jody Rutherford addressed the urgency of the matter, acknowledging the strain on the remaining precinct judges.
“I know this group here is having to take up the slack, but that’s life. We need to put a date out that we’ll be accepting applications,” Rutherford said. “They’re willing to do that, but I don’t think they want to take it up for a year.”
Precinct 2 Judge Gina Grothues highlighted the challenges the other justices of the peace are facing.
“Judge Towers has been taking up the slack whenever I’ve been gone with Greg. It puts our court system at an even tougher squeeze, and then [Precinct 3] Judge Boysen has other things that he does as well. We are really depending heavily on Judge Towers, and that’s a lot for Judge Towers. If we could do this expediently, we would appreciate it.”
Evans asked Precinct 1 Judge Mike Towers about managing the increased workload.
“Mike, you’re carrying the load. Are you making it alright?”
Towers responded, “Yes sir, it’s convenient to cover cases to some degree. The thing that is of concern to me is an ongoing absence. When I cover Judge Holt’s courts and obligations, there’s an issue about using my vehicle and the expense associated with that, which I’m not being compensated for presently. This came up once before a few years ago, and the Commissioners Court’s position was that this wasn’t in the budget. I’d like for you to resolve this if this is going to be ongoing so that I’m not subsidizing Bandera County.”
Evans assured Towers the issue would be addressed.
The court voted to advertise the position on the county website.
Applications and resumes will be accepted until Jan. 16, and the court will review submissions and conduct interviews during its regular meeting on Jan. 23. Job details are available at banderacounty.org.
The court decided against advertising the opening in local newspapers.
Remembering Judge Lynn Holt
Judge Lynn DeLane Holt, 77, of Bandera, Texas, passed away suddenly at his residence on Dec. 5, 2024 Born in Sapulpa, Oklahoma, on Feb. 14, 1947, to David and Darlene Holt, Lynn graduated from Wayland Baptist University with a bachelor’s degree in political science. He served as a helicopter pilot in the Army during the Vietnam War, achieving the rank of captain. Lynn and his wife, Louetta Perry, whom he married on Aug. 3, 1968, in Fort Worth, Texas, moved to Tarpley in October 1980 when they purchased the Tarpley General Store, which they operated until 1995.
Judge Lynn DeLane Holt, 77, served as Justice of the Peace for Bandera County Precinct 4 for 20 years. A Vietnam veteran and dedicated public servant, Holt passed away suddenly on Dec. 5, 2024 Courtesy Photo
Lynn’s career in public service included roles as a deputy sheriff, an investigator for the Bexar County District Attorney’s Office, Bandera’s chief of police, and eventually Justice of the Peace for Precinct 4, a position he held for 20 years.
He was a member of Tarpley Baptist Church, Bandera Masonic Lodge, the Justice of the Peace and Constable Association, and the Texas Justice Court Judges Association. His dedication earned him numerous accolades, including Judge of the Year by the Justice Court Judges Association in 2016.
Lynn is survived by his wife, Louetta, his children Delania Honiker and Perry Holt, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and extended family.
Funeral services were held on Dec. 14 at Tarpley Baptist Church, with burial at Tarpley Cemetery. Pallbearers included members of the Bandera Masonic Lodge.
