John Bernard ‘Jack’ Holton

John Bernard “Jack” Holton, beloved husband, father and grandfather, passed away peacefully on June 14. He was 89 years old.

Jack was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, to a family that stressed scholarship and community. But Jack focused his spare time on sports, making the varsity basketball squad and captaining the golf team.

To pay for college, Jack joined the Navy ROTC program at Marquette University, beginning an 11-year service to his country as a Navy officer and reservist. The Navy brought him to San Diego, where a love for California inspired Jack to continue his education at Stanford University.

It was at Stanford where he met future wife, Lorraine Fraga, when he invited members of several women’s colleges to attend a square dance he organized at the local Newman Center. Determined to raise a family, Jack and Lorraine were married in 1963, and Jack began a career working with some of the earliest computers at IBM.

But following a near fatal auto-accident, Jack reevaluated his career goals and moved his young family, which now included boys Michael and Steven, to study for a PhD at Northwestern University.

Still determined to be in California, Jack secured a position as a professor at USC and settled his family in nearby Pacific Palisades, where he never missed a game or school play cheering for his children, and actively supported his wife’s rewarding career in real estate sales and management.

Eager to apply his study of business to entrepreneurship, in 1990 Jack started Tamis Systems, a software company selling solutions for schools and hospitals.  Jack would often amaze his family with the growing client list for the startup company.

But in the 2000s Jack stepped back from the company, and eager to play more golf, Jack and Lorraine selected a lot with an amazing view in Palm Desert. For the next 20 years they enjoyed competing in golf tournaments, singing in local choirs and many visits from cherished family and friends.

Jack’s optimism, dear heart and joy of life will be greatly missed by all who loved him. He is survived by his beloved wife of 62 years Lorraine, treasured sons Michael and Steven, and adored grandchildren Mark, Christopher and Julia.

The Holton family is grateful for the kind condolences commemorating Jack’s life. We thank all the wonderful caregivers who helped Jack in his final years. You are forever in our hearts.