Paul Clifton Helton Sr.

Paul Clifton Helton, Sr., 84, of Knoxville, TN passed away peacefully on Sunday, November 18, 2018 surrounded by his family. He was born June 30, 1934 in Benham, KY to the late James Otis and Mollie Asher Helton. The family moved to Oak Ridge, TN during World War II. Paul graduated from Bearden High School in 1952 and from The University of Tennessee in 1956. He then served in the U.S. Army for 2 years. In January of 1958, he married Emily Elizabeth Turner, of Knoxville. A year later, they returned to Knoxville where he bought a seed and feed store from his father for $4,200 and founded Helton Hardware Company with locations in both Karns and West Knoxville. He was co-owner of Master Truss Company during the 1970’s and, in 1983, he founded N.A.C. & Associates, a property development and management company. Paul and Emily had 3 children: Natalie, Ashley, and Cliff. After Emily’s passing from cancer in 1978, Paul continued to raise their three children. He married Jan Gideon of Brownsville, TN on April 23, 1994. Paul was an active member of Central Baptist Church of Bearden where he taught Sunday School to fifth grade children for many years, and served as a Deacon. Paul was a member of the Karns Lion’s Club for 50 years and the Home Builder’s Association of Greater Knoxville. He served on the Board of Directors for both the American Cancer Society and the Dogwood Arts Festival. Paul enjoyed playing golf and traveling with friends and family. He also loved seeing the U.S. and Canada from behind the wheel of a motor home and vacationing on Hilton Head Island, SC. He relaxed by napping in the afternoons and mowing on his tractor. Many people will remember Paul for his trademark unlit cigar. He was known for his generosity, telling stories, teasing the people he loved best, and making people smile. Paul is survived by his wife of nearly 25 years, Jan Helton; daughters, Natalie (Mark) Phillips of Alpharetta, GA, and Ashley (Patrick) Jacquot of Cleveland, GA, son, Cliff (Jill Dunn-) Helton of Knoxville, TN; stepdaughters, Lisa Gideon Kirk (Todd) of Laurens, SC, and Suzy Gideon Davis (Curt) of Hutchinson, KS; ten grandchildren and three great-grandchildren; sisters Doris Brady of Knoxville, Hester Fay of Knoxville, Margie Carico of Maryville, Mary Hinkle of Knoxville, and Jennie (Marshall) Hickey of Knoxville, and sister-in-law Eleanor Helton of Fayetteville, TN; and numerous nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents and late wife, Paul was preceded in death by his brother Asher Helton and his brothers-in-law Gene Brady and David Hinkle. Visitation with the family will be held from 4-6pm on Tuesday, November 27, 2018 at Central Baptist Church of Bearden (6300 Deane Hill Drive, Knoxville, TN 37919) in the Fellowship Hall. A celebration of Paul’s life will immediately follow in the sanctuary. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be ¬¬made to: FOCUS Ministries (www.focustn.org) or Alzheimer’s Tennessee (www.alztennessee.org) Special thanks to the staff of Clarity Pointe/Avenir and Smoky Mountain Hospice for their devoted care of Paul for nearly two years.

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Paul Clifton Helton Sr.

June 30, 1934 - November 18, 2018