Joseph Charles Bolton Jr.

May 15, 1927 – August 11, 2016

Captain Joseph C. Bolton, Jr. (Joe) 89, born in Mobile, Alabama, lived in New Orleans, and longtime resident of Jacksonville, Florida passed away peacefully August 11, 2016.

His death was preceded by that of his first wife, (Joan R. Bolton) of 47 years. He was married to his current wife, Carolyn S. Bolton, for 19 years. Captain Bolton had 2 daughters, Diane Bolton-Wilson of St. Augustine, Florida and Denise Carol Bolton of Naples, Florida. He had 2 grandchildren, Crystal Wilson of St. Augustine and Brian Wilson and Wendy Wilson of Georgia along with 4 great granddaughters, Carleigh, Kayden, Kennedie and Skylin, and one great grandson, Brian Jr. He had 2 stepchildren, Don Klein and Donna Gordon of Jacksonville, Florida, and 2 step grandchildren, Lisa Enge and Jonathan Klein, in addition to a step great-granddaughter, Gracie. Captain Bolton is also survived by his sister, Betty, and brothers, Lenny, Doug, Buck, and Syd.

For fifty-three years, ages 17 to 70, Captain Joseph C. Bolton Jr. traveled the world as a Master Ship Captain. Captain Bolton, as Pilot, Master Mariner, served thirty years of service with the St. Johns Bar Pilot Association with seventeen years tenture as President unequaled in the history of the Association. Appointed by two Florida Governors, Commissioner Bolton served for 17 years as a Board Member on the Board of Pilots with the Department of Business and Professional Regulation for the State of Florida. Prior to St. Johns Bar Pilot, he served eleven years as a New Orleans Federal Pilot on the Mississippi River. He shipped out of Mobile, Alabama as a shore-to shore pilot with Sea Land and Waterman shipping. He was the Master Captain, at 35, on the SS New Orleans ship and prior served as an Honorable Merchant Mariner serving the U.S.A. in both Korean and World War II Veteran with metals of honor. Bolton is a member of the American Merchant Marine Veterans, member of The American Legion and member of the Master Mates and Pilot Association. Captain Bolton had attained the highest level of 33rd degree in the Masonic Lodge of Jacksonville.

Bolton was a cancer survivor in 1986 with a Miraculous Medal from the Vincentian Fathers of Perryville, Missouri. He served as a Deacon at Southside Assembly of God and a current member of Regency Church of Jacksonville. He was a faithful servant of God to others in the Jacksonville community and especially to his family, as a praying servant.

Viewing services will be held from 5-7pm on Tuesday, August 16, 2016 at Hardage-Giddens Oaklawn Chapel. Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, August 17, 2016 at 10:00 a.m. at Regency Church, 1677 Southside Boulevard, Jacksonville, FL 32216 with burial services held at the Oaklawn Cemetery, 4801 San Jose Boulevard, Jacksonville, Florida 32207. Please Sign the guestbook at www.hardagegiddensoaklawnchapel.com

HARDAGE-GIDDENS, THE OAKLAWN CHAPEL, 4801 San Jose Blvd is serving the family.