Arthur “Leon” Helton, 85, of Dalton, passed peacefully at home and into the arms of his Lord Tuesday, June 30, 2020.
Leon was born June 3, 1935, in Chattannoga, and moved to Dalton when he was three days old. He lived the rest of his years in Dalton.
Leon was preceded in death by his parents, Eugene Helton and Opal Mary Davis Helton. He was also preceded by his brother Edward “Bud” Helton, sister Thelma Sims, and sister and brother-in-law, Juanita and Ernest Lewallen.
Leon is survived by his devoted wife, Theresa “Terry” Helton, sons, Mark Helton of Ringgold and Timothy Helton of Dalton, grandchildren, Zachary Helton of Tallahassee, Florida, Colt Chandler Helton (Maggie) of Chattanooga, Tennessee, Hunter Capezzone (Marc) of Chattannoga, Tennessee, and Savannah Helton, of Dalton. He is also survived by great-grandchildren, Phoenyx Coley, Lars and Victoria Cappezzone, Lila Helton, and two more great-grandbabies due in August and November. Other survivors are his sister-in-law, Lillie Helton Boyett of Guin, Alabama, and a special nephew and faithful employee, Jackie Sims and his wife, Tammy Sims. Other nephews, nieces, cousins, and friends also survive.
Leon leaves a legacy of love for his Lord, his family and friends, his church, Crown View Baptist, his customers, who were also his friends, at Helton Tire Center, and his historic pictures of Dalton covering the walls of Helton Tire.
Services for Leon will be graveside at West Hill Cemetery on Thursday, July 2, at 11 a.m. Reverend David Friend will officiate. Social distancing is recommended.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Crown View Baptist Church, 502 West Tyler Street, Dalton, Georgia 30720, or Greater Works of Dalton, 1001 South Thornton Avenue, Dalton, Georgia 30720. Anyone who would like to donate old photographs of Dalton in Leon’s memory may bring them to Helton Tire Center, 129 East Morris Street, Dalton, Ga. 30721.
The family would like to extend a special thank you to Homestead Hospice of Dalton for their dedicated and loving care of Leon during his last month of life in this world.