A loving husband devoted father passed away June 17 after a year long battle with cancer. He was 75 years old and lived in St. Louis for most of his life. Mr. Holton graduated from St. Louis Priory and received a BS in Biology from St. Louis University in 1967 and later earned his MBA from Webster University in 1984. In 1969 during the Vietnam War, Jim was accepted into the highly competitive Aviation Officer Candidate School eventually earning his Navy Wings of gold as a distinguished naval graduate at the top of his class. Jim served as a naval aviator until he was honorably discharged in 1976. He then joined the family business at Citizens National Bank in Maplewood as a community development officer and then transitioned into an Insurance Agent//Broker and ended his career as a safety inspector. Jim's passions were aviation, his family and friends but most importantly his relationship with Jesus. A deacon at Central Presbyterian, Jim fervently served the Lord through various church ministries, Men's Fraternity, prison outreach and many other organizations through is life. When asked how he would like to be remembered Jim responded, "Father of four sons and grandfather of 11 grandchildren. " He is survived by his wife of 52 years Ann Benoist Holton and his three sons Peter Jude Holton of Whidbey Island WA, Hunt Benoist Holton of North Augusta, SC and Christopher Daniel Holton of Atlanta, GA. Services: A funeral service will be held at Central Presbyterian Church, 7700 Davis Dr. , at Hanley Rd. , Clayton on Friday, June 24 at 10:00 a. m. A reception will follow in the church's fellowship hall immediately after the service. Private interment Resurrection Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Thrive Women's Healthcare, 4331 Lindell Blvd. , St. Louis, MO 63108.