Kenneth Wesley Helton, Sr., 80, of Chattanooga, TN, went to be with the Lord on June 6, 2024. He was born April 4, 1944, in Chattanooga, TN, to the late James Thomas Helton, Sr. and Sally Kate Dixon Helton. He was also preceded in death by brothers JT Helton, Jr. and Johnny Helton, sisters and brothers-in-law Louise (William) Wooden, Alline Burns, Lilah (Jesse) Williams, Peggy (Nicky) Bowman, Max Murray, Doug Sisemore, and James Splawn.

Ken loved the Lord, his wife Diane of almost 55 years, his children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren dearly.

He is survived by his wife Diane Miller Helton; daughter Paula (Scott) Daves, daughter Kate Helton, and son Wes Helton. Grandchildren Elijah (Hannah) Daves, Jordan (Allie) Clark, Nehemiah Daves, Josiah (Hayli) Daves, and Ben Helton. Great grandchildren Ezra Clark, Isaiah Clark, Ada Clark, Aryanna Daves, Lydia Daves, Ryker Daves, Vincent and Reed. In addition, his sisters Bernice Sisemore, JoAnn Splawn, Christine Murray and sister-in-law Linda Helton, brother-in-law Ken (Eleanor) Burns. He is also survived by many, many nieces and nephews.

He attended the University of Tennessee at Knoxville in which he received a B.S. Degree. He served in the U.S. Marine Corp Reserves. He received the National Defense Service Medal; Sharpshooter Badge, M-14 Rifle. He received an Honorable discharge July 20, 1972, with the rank of Sergeant E-5. In his early career, he sold real estate and had his broker's license. He then began working in the banking industry as a real estate appraiser. Later went on to open his own firm until his retirement. In addition to his appraisal firm, he managed his real estate investments for another decade.

Ken was a loving husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. When Paula, Kate and Wes were growing up, you could always find him in the bleachers cheering them on. He would catch as many fast-pitch softballs as Kate could practice throwing. He built Paula and Wes a large basketball pad in the back of the house, measuring it off so everything would be perfect for them. Even in the years when his grandchildren came along, he went to as many events for them as physically possible. He loved to travel, whether to the beach or saying "Hey, we are going out West for three weeks!" During "retirement" years, he and Diane loved to travel with family, friends, and take trips to casinos.

So many have sent kind words and memories to his children that touched their hearts, here are a few…

"Uncle Kenny was a quiet man with an easy laugh…that is a hard combination to beat. He will be greatly missed!"

"Ah Kenny…you are so loved. Thank you for everything, I will miss you. Go with God."

"He was more like my brother than my uncle, I loved him so much and will miss him dearly."

"I will never forget him driving nine hours to Richmond to say goodbye to my mom (his sister). That has always stayed with me. What a blessing he was to all who got to know him."

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, June 15, 2024, at Hamilton Funeral Home at 4506 Hixson Pike, Hixson, TN 37343 with visitation from 12pm – 2pm with funeral services starting at 2pm in the funeral home chapel with Elijah Daves officiating.  Interment with Military Honors will follow at Hamilton Memorial Gardens in Hixson, TN.

The legacy of Kenneth W. Helton will continue to live on through the lives he touched and through the love he shared with those closest to him.

Arrangements are by Hamilton Funeral Home & Cremation Center, 4506 Hixson Pike, Hixson, TN 37343.