Hershal Steele Helton, Jr.

Hershal Steele Helton, Jr., passed away on October 12, 2024.  Born on September 11, 1951, in Kingsport, TN.  Hershal attended the local schools there and graduated from Dobyns Bennett High School.  He was an avid football and baseball player, upon graduating he was drafted by the New York Yankees but declined in order to serve his country.  He served in the United States Marine Corp. with 2 tours of duty in Vietnam, upon returning to the states he became a drill instructor and was a Gunny Sergeant.  While in the military he received the National Defense Service Medal/Vietnam Service Medal w 1*/Meritorious Mast/Navy Unit Commendation/Meritorious Mast/Good Conduct Medal w1*.  Its was while serving that he received his RADAR approach control training.  After leaving the military he began a new chapter in his life in Air Traffic Control and retired after 42 years of federal service in 2015.  He resided in Avon Park.

He is survived by his wife Diana; son Gary Helton; daughter, Jaime Kulow (Chris); step-son, Chad Kistner; step-daughter, RyAnn Snipes; grandson, James Steele Helton; granddaughter, Hannah Tolley (Zach); great granddaughters, Ruby and Memphis Tolley; step-grandsons, Austin Kistner and Ricky Wilson; step granddaughters, Kaitlyn, Olivia and Alexis Arnold, Kayla Wilson, Lily and Kyndra Harless; sisters, Jennifer Hatfield (John Allen) and Melina Helton (Mary); brother, Randy Helton (Dee); numerous nieces and nephews.

Military services will be planned and announced at a later date.

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