Donald John Holton

BAXTER - Graveside service and interment for Donald John Holton, aged 82 of Kentwood, Michigan will be Friday, March 30 at 11:00 a.m. at Smellage Memory Gardens in the Boma Community of Putnam County. Tommy Roberts will officiate. Family will receive friends at the cemetery following the service and there will be no visitation at the funeral home. Donald fell asleep to this world on Friday, March 23, 2018. He was born May 21, 1935 to Hannah (Johnson) Holton and Harold Holton in Northport, MI. Don packed a lot of living into his 82 years. Early on, as a star pitcher for the Northport High School. Later, classic country music became his passion and he shared the stage with stars of that era, which are too numerous to mention, having had several recordings on the Nugget Label. Realizing the precariousness of the entertainment business, Don kept his "day jobs", first as a lineman for United Airlines and then as a commodities mover for Baker-Knapp and Tubbs, F & A Cheese and finally for M.C. VanKampen. He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Lyle and Wesley; his first wife Phyllis, with whom he had a daughter, Karen. Also surviving are his grandchildren, Amber and Kodey; and two great granddaughters. Don will be loved and remembered by his wife of 54 years, Patricia Boyd Holton of Kentwood, MI; nephew, John (Carol) Holton; nieces, Susan (William) Wolenweber, Lori (Gerard) Bellanger, and Deborah Holton. Mr. Holton was preceded in death by his father and mother in-law, Owen H. and Carrie Roberts Boyd, formerly of the Boma Community. Don and Patricia spent their retirement years traveling, having flown the Concord three times, sailed the Queen Elizabeth and Queen Mary II numerous times, to many European locations. An avid fisherman, Don enjoyed dipping a line in the water at his cabin named "Tightfit" on Waloon Lake near Chapleau, Ontario, Canada, with his fishing buddies. Piloting his cessna, he was able to fly to see mom and dad Holton and family members in Northport whenever the spirit moved him to do so. Those of us who loved Don will be looking ahead to the Resurrection morning when Jesus returns to take us all "Home". Memorial contributions may be made to South United Methodist Church. Pallbearers will be Danny, Tommy, and Travis Roberts, Rex and Gary Palmer and Mike Herd. Baxter Chapel of Hooper-Huddleston & Horner Funeral Home in charge of arrangments. 931-858-2134. You may share your thoughts and memories at www.hhhfunerals.com