George Harold Helton

George Harold Helton, 79, of Frankfort, died at home Friday, June 4th , 2010 following hospitalization for a hip fracture. He was a certified public accountant and an Army veteran of Korea. In addition to building a successful and expansive accounting practice, he contributed many years of service to his community and the commonwealth. Mr. Helton was born Sept. 22, 1930, in Oil Springs, Ky., the youngest of six children of the late Dewey and Nettie (Caudill) Helton. At Oil Springs High School, he was class valedictorian, class president and editor of the yearbook. After high school, Mr. Helton enlisted in the Air Force and later served a second tour of military service with the Army in Korea. Between military tours of duty, he earned a B.S. in accounting at the University of Kentucky in five semesters. Mr. Helton was honored for his recovery work with the Internal Revenue Service and selected to audit European embassies. He went on to achieve his CPA license in 1965 and go into private practice. Over the course of his long career, he maintained accounting offices in Paintsville, Pikeville, Prestonsburg, Berea, Lexington, Frankfort, and Versailles. He also lent his professional expertise to the State Board of Accountancy, three Kentucky gubernatorial campaigns, and served as two-term chairman of the Kentucky State Board of Tax Appeals, and chairman of the Board of Regents at Kentucky State University. He also served as a deacon at South Frankfort Presbyterian Church and was a member of the UK Fellows Society. Mr. Helton is survived by his wife of 33 years, Dr. Brenda Jean "B.J." Helton; son Matthew Helton, of Lexington; daughter Kelly Michelle Helton and son-in-law Jonathan Mays, of Frankfort; daughter Mandy "Sam" Helton, of Lexington; two grandchildren, Annie and Nathan Mays; former spouse Jerry Ann Helton, of Lexington, and two sisters, Cynthia Whitt of Paintsville, Ky., and Virginia Wolfe of Proctorville, Ohio. He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Dewey Helton, Jr. and John C. Helton, and sister Irene Vance. A celebration of his life will be held Saturday, June 12th at South Frankfort Presbyterian Church with visitation from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. and a memorial service at 2 p.m. Helton was a loyal and generous donor to many causes; the family requests that memorial contributions be made to his favorite charity, The Salvation Army/Frankfort Office, 517 Greenup Ave., Frankfort, KY 40601, or the Deacons� Benevolence Fund of South Frankfort Presbyterian Church, 224 Steele Street, Frankfort, KY 40601.

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George Harold Helton

September 22, 1930 - June 4, 2010