Fred Bolton passed away on Feb. 10, 2025. He was 75 years old.
Bolton was the Head Football Coach and Athletic Director at Bridge City from 1984-89 and one of the first football coaches I covered as a young reporter.
He may not be remembered for his record with the Cardinals but those that knew him then will be remembered for his bright smile and the way he treated others. Coach always made himself available, win or lose, and I never forgot that and still remember that despite all of the coaches I’ve covered over the years. I learned of his passing from several old school Cardinals which also shows how much they thought about Fred.
Former player Rodney Townsend, who went on to play college ball, said, “He taught me the position and so much more. Be disciplined, be coachable, be a team player. Set goals. Goals are achieved with a plan and action. Without action, they’re dreams. These lessons were taught with a level of kindness and sometimes a big smile. He taught me there were other ways to win.”
Bolton would leave BC and go on to Brazosport where he had some success. The 1999 Exporter team, finished as Regional Finalists with an impressive 12-1 record. He would go on to become the Brazosport ISD Athletic Director before retiring in 2006.
I’ve posted his obituary below. RIP Coach.
-Gary Stelly, KOGT-
–
Frederick “Fred” Bolton, Jr.
Monday, February 10, 2025 our family lost a special person to all of us. To our family he was our captain; A giant of a man in size and personality. He was a lighthearted conversationalist and entertainer with a fierce competitive nature and loyalty to his family. He left us with so many lessons to learn from and be inspired by; none better than when things get hard or the outlook looks bleak, “You better rise up” to the occasion.
Fred Bolton was born on Galveston Island, June 19, 1949. He was brought into this world by Fred Sr. and Mary (Maw Maw) Bolton, and has now returned to them in heaven. He was the oldest of six kids. He is survived by his brothers and sisters; Sherry (Robert “Skeeter”), Larry (Roslyn), Renee (Joe), Dennie (Larry) and Troy (Liz). He has told many stories of growing up, but none more memorable and laughable to him, than his dad getting a deal on some paint and painting their 3-bedroom 1 bathroom house with a horse tied up in the rear, “Desert Rose”. Fred would ask to be dropped off down the street so his friends, like his best friend since 5th grade, Uncle Skeeter James, wouldn’t tease him about his pink house.
Fred is survived by the love of his life, his wife, Jenifer Locklin, who he met in Hitchcock, at age 16. They married on March 15, 1968 and recently celebrated 56 years together. Fred reminded everyone at their 50-year celebration that he doesn’t know how she has put up with him all these years. They still called each other boyfriend and girlfriend all the way to the end of his days. He had a deep love for his wife, and they would share barbs about their differences, and margaritas at local happy hours to celebrate all their blessings.
He graduated from Kirwin Catholic High School in Galveston, Texas. At 6′ 2″ and 214 lbs, he was recruited and earned a full scholarship to play middle linebacker for University of Texas at Arlington. He was a fierce competitor who had a lifelong passion for football that he would soon share with so many others. Father Leo, who delivered Fred’s last rites Saturday evening, was a teacher at Kirwin High School when Fred attended, and got to see Fred play. He called him a great football player with a tall and lanky stature that would slice through the offensive line.
After college Fred became an educator, teacher, baseball coach, football coach, athletic director, insurance salesman, city councilman, but most importantly he became a father, poppy, and pop pop.
Fred is survived by his 3 daughters and son (Meredith Jones – Freddy Bolton – Amy West and Jeni Swing) his favorite 3 sons- in- law (Lloyd Jones, Donnie West, Nick Swing), his 10 grandkids; Katie, Alexa, Billy, Michael, Joseph, Pacey, Asha, Chubby, Jude, Locklin, Solomon and Townes, his great grandkids; Kyla, Kenn, Kenzie, Koe, Layla, Riley, Lilly, Keelie, Lanie, and Kacey, and his lil girl dog Julia and his grand dogs Dolly, Tito, Simone, Miley and Tuddles.
Fred worked in many different communities as coach and teacher. He earned his Master’s in Education from U of H at Clear Lake, while living in Bridge City. He made the two-hour trip, twice a week, at night, to complete this achievement. He started his coaching career as a head baseball coach at Santa Fe and then became the defensive coordinator for the Clear Lake High School football team. Fred had a passion for coaching and developing young men physically, but many note that it was his ability to challenge players mentally to exceed their own expectations of themselves, that set him apart.
He was a head football coach for Hitchcock, TK Gorman, Bridge City and eventually landed his most challenging and most successful role at Brazosport High School, where he took over a 4-win program. Through his commitment to hard work, inspiring others to fight when it’s easier to give up and holding his teams accountable to do their best, he developed the program into a contender. In a mix of football excellence and family lore, Fred inspired a surprising run by his son Freddy’s 5-7-2 team as well as his nephew Skeeter James’ 12-1 team to play in the Astrodome with both finishing just 3 wins short of a State Championship. During the latter run and after years of promising his players that he would shave his head if they beat Bay City, he showed his faith in his team by asking his daughter Amy to bring sheers and a razor to the pep rally prior to that game. He fired his team up by having Amy shave his head in front of the whole school. They beat Bay City 16 – 10.
Fred finished his educational career as the Athletic Director for Brazosport ISD retiring in 2006, ending 33 years of educating and inspiring our communities. He went on to be a trusted advisor for the community, spending 10 years as a Farm Bureau insurance agent and four years as Freeport city councilman. In 2016 he left the workforce and retired for good. He lived for family get togethers, cooking crawfish, watching his grandkids compete and playing golf.
The family is so appreciative for all who have reached out, stopped by to pay their respects, and/or or told stories about Fred. We know how important Fred was to us, but to hear of all the ways that he has touched others’ lives shows us just how great he was and how lucky all of us are to have known him.
Visitation is from 11 am – 12 pm on Friday February 14, 2025 at Crowder Funeral home in La Marque, Texas. Following is a 2 pm funeral mass at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Hitchcock, Texas officiated by Father Larry Wilson. Interment will follow at Hayes Grace Memorial Park in Hitchcock, Texas.
Pallbearers will be Billy Parker, Michael Parker, Lloyd “Chubby” Jones, III, Lloyd “Chub” Jones, Jr., Donnie West, Nick Swing, Skeeter James, Nicholas Bolton and Octavio Tijerina. Honorary Pallbearers will be Jude West, Locklin West, Solomon Swing and Townes Swing.
Social Media