Obituary: David (Dave) Quinton Holton, Jr.

David (Dave) Quinton Holton, Jr. died on Wednesday, September 18, at age 66 of cancer.

Holton was known to many in the book industry for his coordination of BookExpo America’s author autographing for more than 20 years.

In announcing the news of Holton’s passing on his blog this week, BEA Show Director Steve Rosato said, “Dave left the world better than he found it and for those that did have the privilege to know him, why they are saddened and will miss him terribly.”

Though Dave Holton did a lot to make BEA a special event, Rosato said, “that was only a small part of his life because he was active in his community and spent his free time raising tens of thousands of dollars for many charitable causes every year,” including Beyond Pink, which he worked to establish to help fund cancer initiatives on the Outer Banks of North Carolina.

Dave Holton is survived by his brother, Dr. Walter L. Holton, and wife Barbara of Manteo, North Carolina; his sister, Francis Holton Maffitt, and husband Jim of Easton, Maryland; six nieces and nephews; and many great-nieces and -nephews.

A celebration of his life will be held on October 20, 2013, from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at Jennette’s Pier in Nags Head, North Carolina. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions to Beyond Pink, Attn: Jarie Ebert, Outer Banks Hospital, 4800 S. Croatan Highway, Nags Head, North Carolina 27959 or to a charity of one’s choice.