Edwin Robert Holton

We lost another member of the Greatest Generation on Tuesday, June 9th. Ed Holton, 97 passed away peacefully sitting in the yard he loved. He just got back from Medford, OR seeing his youngest great-granddaughter graduate and enjoyed time spent with the whole family. Ed was born to Charles and Gwen Holton, the youngest of 3 boys on March 29th, 1918. He went to Emerson and Butte High, graduating in 1938 from Butte High School. Ed met the love of his life “the little red haired girl” while attending grade school. He later married Norma on August 8th, 1940. They were married 64 years until Norma passed away in 2004. Ed and Norma had a wonderful life together. They had two boys, Bob born April 8, 1941 and Bill born April 8, 1944. Ed enlisted in the Navy in 1944, during World War II. He served his country proudly. After discharge from the Navy, Ed started his work career with F&S Contracting, later becoming a boss. He worked there until F&S closed, then finished working for Pioneer Concrete. Ed was always the neighborhood dad, fixing anything brought to him, helping any way he could. When it was haircut day for his boys, the neighborhood kids would line up. A flat-top was his specialty! This went on with the boys’ generation, then passed on to his grandson Todd’s generation. Ed and Norma belonged to the Georgetown Boat Club since 1952. They had many wonderful summers at the lake, and taught countless kids to water ski and boat. They also loved to travel after Ed retired, making many lifetime friends. Ed was a member of the Elks Lodge and Teamster Retirees. Ed and Norma’s greatest tragedy was losing their son, Captain Robert E. Holton, USAF, 27, in Laos on January 29, 1969. He is still missing in action, and to the day Ed died, he hoped to bring Bob home. If you ever talked to Ed, you would be amazed at how well he could remember his stories. He was so proud to be a part of a 70th class reunion, the class of 1938. He was also so thankful he could stay in his house for 75 years, that he remodeled many times and made into the beautiful home it is today. Ed also in later years loved going to the Belmont Senior Center everyday where he made many friends. Ed was preceded in death by his beloved wife Norma and son Bob. He was also preceded in death by his parents, brothers and sisters-in-law, Al and Ruth Holton, Bill and Nonie Holton, in-laws, Dick and Mae Harry, brother-in-law, Jack Harry and aunt, Margaret Jones. Ed is survived by his son and daughter-in-law, Bill and Judy Holton, daughter-in-law, Diane Moody, grandson and family he loved and was so proud of, Dr. Todd and Karen Holton, great-granddaughters, Ashley and Taylor Holton of Medford, OR, sister-in-law, Mitzi Lacey and many nieces and nephews along with many great friends. Rest in peace, Dad we love you and will miss you…

Tributes

Edwin Robert Holton

March 29, 1918 - June 9, 2015