Ocala, FL – Frederick Ian Holton, 81, of Ocala, Florida, passed away peacefully on February 19, 2026, surrounded bedside by his three children.
Born on July 24, 1944, in Brattleboro, Vermont, Fred was the son of Georgia F. Holton and Philip Clifford Holton. He grew up in Northfield, Massachusetts, carrying throughout his life a strong sense of duty, faith, and commitment to community.
Fred proudly served his country in the United States Army as a Military Policeman from 1963 to 1966, achieving the rank of Specialist E-4. He was awarded the National Defense Service Medal and earned the Expert Rifle designation. His military service reflected the discipline and integrity that defined much of his life.
Following his time in the Army, Fred built a respected career in law enforcement. He served with the Brattleboro Police Department from 1974 until his retirement in 1996. Over the course of his career, he rose to Head of Field Training Officers and FTO Supervisor, served on the Major Incident and Accident Team, and was a member of the Hostage Negotiation Team. He took pride in mentoring younger officers. Fred was proud of his role in community policing before that was widely recognized as a formal movement years later.
Fred believed in education and lifelong learning. After attending PVRS, he continued his studies at Holyoke Community College and went on to earn his Bachelor’s degree from Northeastern University in Boston, Massachusetts in 1974. His dedication to education reflected his commitment to growth, discipline, and professional excellence.
Throughout his life he lived in Northfield, Massachusetts, Brattleboro, Vermont, Vernon, Vermont, and later made his home in Ocala, Florida. Faith was an important part of Fred’s life. He was active in his church community and found joy in church activities, music of all kinds, and cooking for family gatherings. Fred never met a stranger who stayed a stranger. He valued genuine connection and cherished true friendships, including the special bond he found with the Ocala McDonalds coffee crew, where conversation, laughter, and camaraderie were part of his daily routine.
Fred was predeceased by his parents, Georgia F. Holton and Philip Clifford Holton; by all of his siblings; and by his wife, Kathryn Holton, who passed away in 2009.
He is survived by his former wife, Sandra Platek of Greenfield, Massachusetts, with whom he shared three children, Steven (Nikki) Holton of Bath, Pennsylvania, Julie Sibley (Tom Gingras) of Whately, Massachusetts, and Jessica (Scott) Callahan of Ninety Six, South Carolina; his grandchildren Jonathan Glovas, Kevin Glovas, Joseph Holton, Cassandra Holton, Emma Sibley, Lauren Sibley, Elly Russell Smith, and Nora Callahan; extended family and many friends; and his loving companion of several years, Cleta Colombo of Ocala, Florida.
Fred will be remembered for his steady presence, strong sense of responsibility, and lifelong commitment to serving others. His legacy lives on in the family he loved, the officers he trained, and the community he helped protect.
There will be calling hours Sunday, March 1 from 3:00p.m. to 5:00p.m. at the Kidder Funeral Home, 1 Parker Ave, Northfield, MA. Funeral services will be Monday, March 2 at the Vernon Advent Christian Church, 4554 Fort Bridgman Rd, Vernon, VT. Burial will be in the spring at West Northfield Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Advent Christian Church Social Committee.
Kidder Funeral Home, 1 Parker Ave, Northfield, MA is assisting the family with arrangements.
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