John Thomas Holden

John Thomas Holden passed away November 13, 2022 at his home in South Ogden, UT. John was the oldest son of Tom and Christine Holden, born on January 23, 1968 in Ogden, UT.

He grew up in the South Ogden area, graduating from Bonneville High School in 1986, where he excelled at Cross Country, serving as the team Captain in his senior year. He made many friends while growing up and has retained many of those friendships to this day. 

John graduated from Weber State University in May of 1991 with a BA in History. He simultaneously graduated from the Army Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) and commissioned as a 2^nd Lieutenant within the 19^th Special Forces Group. He was also a graduate of the United States Army Airborne course, earning the coveted title of Paratrooper, having achieved many successful jumps in his Army career.

He met and married the former Connie Dana and together had three beautiful children.  Jake, born 1991, Kiersten, born 1994, and Josh, born 1999. They later divorced, but remained friends, successfully co-parenting their three children.

John served as a bailiff for the Weber County Sheriff’s office, as well as a reserve officer for South Ogden Police Department, before joining the Layton Police Department in 1992, honorably serving the citizens of Layton for nearly 28 years. He was well-liked and respected among his fellow officers and continued to make many friends during his career. He was a stalwart officer, serving his community in various prestigious capacities. He joined the SWAT team early on, serving on the entry team and later as a negotiator. He had many years of experience on the Davis Narcotic Strike Force, often working undercover, and would later become a supervisor of the unit. He retired from Layton Police in April of 2020, having served as a Sergeant for over a decade with the department. 

During his time as an undercover officer, he met the love of his life, Parole Officer Kimberly Bell. They married on April 29, 2002 at Hill Air Force Base. Kimberly brought her two sons into the marriage, Travis Bell, born 1987, and Brandon Bell, born 1991. Together they raised their five children in Layton, UT. During this time, they bonded as a family while going on several trips to places such as Las Vegas, California, New York, and Mexico. He also loved taking the kids snowboarding and hiking in Southern Utah. They loved to travel as a family and as a couple. Kim and John loved to travel internationally and experience the vast variety of cultures this world has to offer. Their travels include India, Singapore, Napal, Jamaica, Haiti, Cambodia, Thailand, Indonesia, and Mexico. John loved the tropical scene, his favorite place to was to relax by the beach and enjoy the sun. Their most recent trip was to Thailand to meet their son Jake’s fiancé, Fai, and her family.

John and Kim loved Mexico so much that they became residents of Mexico in 2021, splitting their time between Mexico and the USA. Many friends were made while living in Mexico, and friends from the USA would visit them. We all lived vicariously through their Facebook posts, enjoying their many adventures together.

John couldn’t live in Mexico full-time, because he would miss his little buddies too much in the USA; Hayden, Connor, Ellie, Ryan, and Riley. John loved being a grandpa, spoiling them with treats and gifts. He spent a lot of special one-on-one time with Hayden, painting rocks and collecting treasures to put in his secret Hayden box. He loved to go to Lagoon, Cherry Hill, and out to eat, getting Tacos, his favorite meal. His grandkids brought him so much joy and he often expressed this to anyone who would listen.

John was all about family. He was a great big brother and loved his brothers and sister dearly. Many great memories were created at Holden family parties. He was admired by his many nieces and nephews. He is remembered most for his infectious laugh and playful sense of humor. He loved his new daughter, Stephanie, and his new son, Christian, as his own children, joining the family by marriage. He was so excited to meet Fai, Jake’s Fiancé, as well as her father Senee, whom they became great friends, in Thailand. Anyone he met in life became his family and he took great care of those relationships that he developed with each one of them.

He loved Kim, expressing to all of us how close they had become these last few months while enjoying their retirement together. He also took his role as Father and Grandpa very seriously and was proud of each of his children. He made sure that each one of his kids knew he loved them, was proud of them, and always encouraged them to do their best. They loved him deeply. 

John leaves behind his beloved wife, Kimberly; his children, Travis (Joey) Bell, Brandon (Stephanie) Bell, Jake (Fai) Holden, Kiersten (Christian) Knighton, and Josh Holden; his father, Tom Holden; his brothers, Jeff (Cheri) Holden, Jamie Holden, Joey (Amy) Holden; and sister, Jenny (Shad) Degiulio. He also leaves behind many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Christine Holden; both sets of grandparents; and his beloved dogs, Brittney and Amigo. 

The Fraternal Order of Police has established an account to assist other officers suffering from PTSD. Donations can be made at Mountain America Credit Union, account #10027749.  The family appreciates donations in lieu of flowers.

Funeral Mass will be held on Saturday, November 19, 2022 at 10 a.m. at Holy Family Catholic Church, 1100 East 5550 South. South Ogden, UT. Friends may visit with family on Friday from 5 to 8 p.m. at Lindquist’s Ogden Mortuary, 3408 Washington Blvd. A Celebration of Life Service and luncheon will be held at 11:30 a.m. in the church’s social hall. Friends and Family are welcome to attend both events.

We love you John. You were so loved in this life and you will be greatly missed. The void will be unbearable for a while, but we will always strive to make you proud of us.  Be at peace, until we meet again. 

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