F.L. Holton Jr.

HOLTON - F.L. Jr. , 90, died at his home in Poteau, Sunday, November 15, 2009. He was born in Cameron, OK on November 10, 1919 to F.L. and Eva Holton. His philanthropy, business sense, and civic involvement made him an eastern Oklahoma legend. He remained actively involved in local business and civic activities, serving as President of Holton Stores, Holton Cattle Company, Chairman of Central National Bank of Poteau and on the Carl Albert State College Board of Regents. He was a veteran of World War II, serving as a Captain in the United States Army Air Corp. He is survived by: his wife of 67 years, Genevieve; 3 children, Linda Lynch and her husband, Bob of Tulsa, Steve Holton and his wife, Pam of Poteau and Deborah Gentry and her husband, Sam of Poteau; 8 grandchildren; and 12 great-grandchildren. He is also survived by a sister, Lois Blasdel of Woodward and was preceded in death by his sister, Allene Conn. F.L. graduated from Poteau High School in 1937 and received his degree in Business Administration from Oklahoma A&M College in 1941. After World War II, he returned to Poteau where he joined his father in expanding family businesses that would include a supermarket, hardware and furniture store, department store, retail feed store, and a Pontiac and International dealership. He ran a large cow-calf operation, pioneered the development of the poultry industry in Eastern Oklahoma and founded Holton Mills to manufacture feed for the broiler and cattle industry. In 1954, Holton was named to the Board of Directors of Central National Bank. In 1978 he was elected Chairman. Under his leadership CNB continuously ranked as one of the highest performing banks in Oklahoma. F.L. was one of Poteau's outstanding civic leaders for over 60 years and was known as the area's greatest "ambassador". He served in leadership positions in the Poteau Rotary Club, Poteau Chamber of Commerce and Poteau Industrial Authority. His commitment to higher education spanned four decades. He was a charter member of the Board of Regents of Carl Albert State College that was formed in 1971. He served under Governors Boren, Nigh, Bellmon, Walters, Keating and Henry and was in his fifth seven year term. He had the honor of being the oldest and longest serving regent in the state of Oklahoma. He served 20 years on the Board of Trustees for Phillips University in Enid and was board chairman for 4 years. He was a charter member of the Board of Governors for the OSU Development foundation, serving on that board for 19 years. He served 20 years as a College of Business Associate at OSU and was inducted into the university's College of Business Hall of Fame. In 1990 the OSU Alumni Association honored him with the Alumni Service Award for his contributions to OSU and higher education in Oklahoma. He was also honored that year with the Rotary International Paul Harris Award. In 1992 he was the first recipient of the Poteau Lifetime Contribution award and in 1993 he was inducted into the CASC Hall of Fame. In 1997 the Holton family established the F.L. Holton Endowed Professorship and the 33,000 square foot CASC business center is named in his honor. He was an active member of the First Christian Church of Poteau. For many years he taught a Sunday School class, served as Board Chairman, was an Elder and was named Layman of the Year for Oklahoma Christian Churches. Service will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday, November 18, 2009 at First Christian Church, Poteau, OK. Interment: Oakland Cemetery, Poteau. Memorial gifts may be made to First Christian Church Memorial Fund, P.O. Box 160, Poteau, OK 74953 or the Carl Albert Development Foundation Scholarship Fund, 1507 S. McKenna, Poteau, OK 74953. F.L. Holton, Jr.