Michael "Mike" Dean Helton

He is survived by his loving wife and best friend of over 39 years Pamela Sparrow Helton, his son Jonathan Helton (Megan Webster) and daughter Jessamyn Helton. He was preceded in death by his brother and friend James Helton, Jr. and is survived by his sister-in-law Becky Miller Helton. He was a cherished son, husband, father, brother, uncle and friend to many.

Mike was born on July 12,1948 in Louisville to the late James A. Helton, Sr. and Hilda Ramsey Helton. He graduated from Seneca High School in 1966. He matriculated to the University of Louisville and was a walk-on for two seasons for his beloved Cardinals basketball team.

Mike discovered a love for politics and made political campaigns and public policy his career. He started by working in the mailroom during the 1971 Bert Combs-Julian Carroll campaign for Governor and Lt. Governor. Combs lost the Democratic primary to Wendell Ford who went on to win the fall election. Despite the Combs-Ford political rivalry, Mike was hired to work in the Ford administration overseeing state leases. When Carroll won the state’s highest office in 1975, Mike was hired to serve Gov. Carroll as assistant in charge of scheduling and worked side-by-side with Carroll. In 1978, he was promoted to Secretary of the Public Protection and Regulation Cabinet, becoming one of the youngest cabinet secretaries in Kentucky history at the age of 29.

Mike left the Carroll administration to run Terry McBrayer’s campaign for governor in 1979. After a brief reprieve from politics, he joined Gov. Martha Layne Collins’ administration where he served as Commissioner of the Department for Environmental Protection.

Following his service to Gov. Collins, Mike began lobbying for the American Petroleum Institute. Mike was a pioneer in government relations in Kentucky. In the early 1990s, he helped McBrayer launch his law firm’s government relations business. In 1999, he started his own firm, Government Strategies. At Government Strategies, Mike represented some of Kentucky’s largest corporations and most influential trade associations and non-profit groups. A trusted advisor and confidant to scores of lawmakers and policymakers, Mike retired a few years ago after more than 50 years shaping Kentucky’s political landscape.

Mike loved his family and was a proud husband and father. He had numerous passions including the many dogs and cats that he and Pam adopted into the family and who often happily lived into their very elderly years. Mike was a great cook, and his grilled steaks were of restaurant quality. He was also a sportsman. He loved college and professional sports, horse racing, playing golf, basketball and softball, as well as cycling. Mike had two great loves: his wife Pam and his family, and the University of Louisville Cardinals. He also sat next to Pam on the same bench in the same seat at Hurstbourne Baptist Church in Louisville for many years.

The Celebration of Life Memorial Service for Mike will be held at 11:00 am on Tuesday, January 6th, 2026 at Hurstbourne Baptist Church, 8800 Shelbyville Road, 40222. The Memorial Visitation will be from 10:00 am until the time of the service at the church.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that expressions of sympathy be made in Mike’s name to the Hurstbourne Baptist Church, 8800 Shelbyville Road, Louisville KY 40222 or GIVE - Hurstbourne Baptist Church; or to the Kentucky Humane Society, 1000 Lyndon Lane Suite B, Louisville KY 40222 or Donate - Kyhumane.

Arrangements are under the direction of Arch L. Heady and Son Funeral Home – Okolona Chapel, “Where Personal And Sincere Service Is Tradition.”