Colonel Charles T. Helton

HELTON, CHARLES THOMAS, of Hoover, Alabama, originally from Meadowview, VA, passed away Wednesday March 3, 2021 at the age of 87.

He is survived by a son, Charles T Helton Jr. (Cindy)  of Winter Park, FL;  a daughter Barbara Anne Helton and an “honorary daughter” Judy Wilson both of Hoover,  AL.

He was pre-deceased by his wife Anne Thomas Helton originally of Glade Spring, VA;  his parents Archie Graham Helton and Bertha Lee Mercer both of Plasterco, VA;  brothers Edward Helton (Maxine) and Paul Helton (Evelyn) and two sisters Myrtle Hart (Edward) and Minnie Lovella “Ludy” Kelly (Leon).

As a young man he wanted to see the world, so he joined the U.S. Air Force as a Private before the rank became Airman. He graduated from Officer Candidate School with a commission of Second Lieutenant, completed pilot training and chose to fly cargo aircraft because he could see the world.  He flew these aircraft:  C-121's, C-130's, and C-141's.  He flew into nearly every non-communist country in the world, even landing on the ice in Antarctica multiple times to resupply the scientists.  He finished his flying career by returning to C-130's as a Hurricane Hunter flying through 25 hurricanes. He completed his 35 year Air Force career as a Colonel working with the Joint Chief's of Staff at the Pentagon in Washington, D.C. He attended multiple military schools such as Air War College and was a graduate of Florida State University. After retirement, he and his wife Anne settled in Hoover, Alabama. His daughter is a graduate of The University of Alabama and he became an avid fan, rarely missing any Alabama football games nor gymnastics meets.

The visitation will begin Sunday, March 7, 2021 at 1:00pm at Currie-Jefferson Funeral Home, Highway 150, Hoover, AL.   A graveside service will follow at 2:00pm at the cemetery there.  Rev. Malcom Marler, director of Pastoral Care at the University of Alabama at Birmingham will officiate.