John Darren HOLTON (20 Oct 1942 - 15 Mar 2019)

Message for Joan: Roger, Mecca Manager at Leeds Locarno is so incredibly sad to find this little corner of the internet. We’re so sorry for your very sad loss. Roger has tried to contact you over the years, even trying to reach out using local radio. We’re sending deepest condolences and love. If you’d like to get in touch they’d love to hear from you - 0115 8411499 or roger@rogerlakin.co.uk x

I hope I have the right John? I used to work for Mecca for several years and employed as a Doorman, I am so sorry for his passing and offer belated condolences, R.I.P boss it was a great pleasure knowing you

Tomorrow would have been your 78th Birthday and I miss you every day. cant wait to join you xxx

R.i.p old friend will always remember the good times we shared.

We are shocked and saddened to hear of John's passing. He was a great friend with enormous energy, loyalty, passion and commitment. When he set his mind to it he could achieve anything and encouraged others to do the same. He believed in having a vision, thinking big, ignoring nay-sayers, working his nuts off and in always giving something back. We think of him and Joan often - especially when we are on holiday in Minehead - and kept looking over our shoulders in case they'd be there enjoining fish and chips on the front too. He loved his archery, and it's through our wonderful sport that we became friends. We soon realised we had so much more in common and what's more important than shared interests is without question our shared values. RIP John. We are heartbroken.
Love always,
Greg and Tracey Hill.

"If I were a tailor I'd make it my pride
The best of all tailors to be
And if I were a tinker, no tinker beside
Should mend an old kettle like me."
- favourite rhyme of Sir William Withey Gull.

I was really shocked and greatly saddened to hear the news about John.
We worked together at Sunderland Locarno where John built up a good business. This was our first venture into management and we became great pals with a good friendship, spending many happy times at their house with Joan, Snowy and a very spoilt cat.
I learned a lot from John which stood me in good stead over the years and we met up at many managers meetings staying at the Strand Hotel in London. This was always good fun, especially when Wilf Preen was on form.
I was really pleased to hear that John wrote his books and painted which were always his ambitions.
We may have lost touch but those times and the friendship will always have a special place in my thoughts.
My sincere condolences to Joan. RIP John.

I was shocked to receive the news of John's passing. When we both worked for the Mecca group, John always said that he wanted me to be bandleader when he got his first manager's job on Mecca. This happened at Sunderland Mecca in 1969, where we had a terrific working partnership. We shared the same sense of humour and spent hours talking about all sorts of things. We went our separate ways eventually but kept in touch by telephone and Xmas card. I regret not keeping in closer contact, as this was a man whose company I really valued. He was very diplomatic, good at handling personnel situations. John was a one-off. I will never forget him and the wonderful times - and laughs - that we shared.
RIP John

John was the love of my life and this was the first record I bought for him to let him know how much I loved him.


Soldier boy,
Oh, my little soldier boy,
I'll be true to you.
You were my first love
And you'll be my last love.
I will never make you blue.
I'll be true to you.
In this whole world
You can love but one girl.
Let me be that one girl,
For I'll be true to you.
Wherever you go,
My heart will follow.
I love you so.
I'll be true to you.
Take my love with you
To any port or foreign shore.
Darling, you must feel for sure,
I'll be true to you.
Soldier boy,
Oh, my little soldier boy,
I'll be true to you.