Edward Lentz "Ed" Holton

Edward Lentz "Ed" Holton, 88, retired Columbia Chief of Police, died Friday, January 27, 2017, at his residence on Fleming Street. Funeral services will be conducted Tuesday at 11:00 A.M. at Oakes & Nichols Funeral Home with Jeremy Butt officiating. Burial will follow in Polk Memorial Gardens with military honors provided by Herbert Griffin American Legion Post 19. The family will visit with friends Monday after 4:00 P.M. concluding with a Masonic Service at 8:00 P.M. at the funeral home. Condolences may be extended online at www.oakesandnichols.com. Born September 18, 1928, in Marshall County, he was the son of the late Rollie Holton and the late Margaret Galbreath Holton. He attended Forrest High School in Chapel Hill and proudly served in the U. S. Marine Corps during World War II. In 1965, he began his twenty-six-year career with the Columbia Police Department, where he served as Chief from 1975 - 1986 and again 1987 - 1988 and retired in 1991. He had served as President of Fraternal Order of Police, James K. Polk Lodge 26, Maury County Shrine Club; and while serving as President of Tennessee Chiefs of Police Association, he was elected to the office of State Representative to the International Association of Chiefs of Police, serving in that capacity for six years. Chief Holton had also served as Past Commander of Herbert Griffin American Legion Post 19 and La Société 40 & 8. Always a believer in serving his community, he was also very active in the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Columbia Rotary Club, and the Masonic Lodge. He attended North View Church of Christ. Survivors include his daughters, Carol Holton of Columbia; Cindy (Johnny) Johnson of Spring Hill; step-children, Billy (Janett) Willis of Normandy; Jan (Bill) Church of Columbia; grandchildren, Corey (Tara) Church and Joey (Leigh Anne) Church; and great grandchildren, Trey Church, Cooper Church, Hudson Church, and AnneCarter Church. Active pallbearers will be Ashley Brown, Larry Pigg, Corey Church, Joey Church, Johnathan Hickerson, and Bill Church. Honorary pallbearers will include Joe Casey, Sonny Galbreath, Don Galbreath, members of James K. Polk Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 26, and Herbert Griffin American Legion Post 19. The family wishes to express a special thank you to his sitters, Maria Selby, Hospice Compassus, NHC Maury Regional, and his "girls", Karen Uhles and Jennifer Chapman.