Harry J. Holton

Harry J. Holton, age 87, of Modesto passed away on June 17, 2019 surrounded by his loved ones after a long illness. We are saddened to lose him but happy that his suffering from Parkinsons disease is over.

Harry was born in Muskogee, OK on September 1, 1931. He grew up in Oklahoma and Oregon and attended high school in Klamath Falls, Oregon before joining the U.S. Air Force. After serving his country he married Sonja McGee and settled in Stanislaus County.

Harry was a self-employed auto mechanic for over 40 years and operated a Dodge-Chrysler dealership in Patterson for a period of time. He was also a NHRA drag racer, winning numerous races and setting world records over the course of his career. In 1998 he sold his Patterson shop and built a shop in Modesto where he focused solely on his race car endeavors. He continued to drive a race car to the age of 77 and was still building and working on race motors until a year ago.

Besides his wife of 63 years, Sonja, he is survived by his four children; Julie (Mark) Jordan, Chris, Marcia (Mike) Duso and Lesley. He has eight grandchildren; Carly Lininger, Jared Jordan, April Holton, Jenna Jordan, Erin Duso, Shane Holton, Bradley Duso & Jeremy Duso. He was blessed with ten great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his two sisters; Gloria June Valentine and Patsy Sue Smith.

A Celebration of Life for Harry will be held on Friday, June 28 at 11 am at Seasons Event Center, 945 McHenry Avenue, Modesto. Burial will be private.

In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be sent to: Community Hospice 4368 Spyres Way Modesto, CA 95356

The Michael J. Fox Foundation (for Parkinsons research) P. O. Box 5014 Hagerstown, MD 21741-5014

The family would also like to thank the caring nurses and caretakers at Community Hospice and Bethel Retirement Center for their care and compassion during Harry’s final days.