Alfred (Al) Earl Helton

Don't grieve for me, for now I'm free.

I'm following the path God laid for me

I took his hand when I heard him call

I turned my back and left it all.

I could not stay another day

To laugh to love, to work, or play.

Tasks left undone must stay that way

I found that peace at the close of the day.

If my passing has left a void

Then fill it with remembered joy

A friendship shared, a laugh, a kiss

Ah…yes, these thing I too will miss.

Be not burdened with times of sorrow

I wish you the sunshine of tomorrow.

My life's been full, I savored much

Good friends, good times, a loved one's touch,

Perhaps my time seemed all too brief

Don't lengthen it now with undue grief.

Lift up your hearts and share with me

God wanted me now. He set me free.

Alfred (Al) Earl Helton, Sr. passed away peacefully during his sleep on the morning of April 26, 2012, After service in the Marine Corps during the Korean war, Al attended the University of Texas, Austin, where he majored in Radio, Television, and Film. While in school, he worked for KTBC-TV. After graduation he moved to help put KOSA-TV on the air in Odessa, Texas. There he met Betty Raley, the weather girl at the station, and they were married August 4, 1956. They ultimately had two children, Rusty and Cassie Helton. In 1971, the family came to Austin so Al could help put KVUE-TV on the air. He worked as Program Manager there for 19 years.

Al Helton was preceded in death by his parents, J.C. and Lucille Helton, a sister Mildred Butler, two brothers James and Robert Helton and his mother-in-law, Anna Raley. He is survived by wife, Betty, a son, Rusty and wife Ashlay Helton, a daughter Cassie Helton, grandchildren Niki and Jacob Helton, a sister Pat Hardy, a brother Lester Helton, Robert Raley and wife Cherry in Austin and father-in-law Cecil Raley and wife Jean in Odessa, Texas.

The family will receive friends from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. on Sunday, April 29, 2012 at Weed-Corley-Fish Funeral Home, 3125 N. Lamar Blvd.

Services are scheduled for 10:00 a.m. at Weed-Corley-Fish Funeral Home, North Lamar, with 2:00 p.m. full military burial at Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery, near Killeen.

In lieu of flowers, the family request that donations be made to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Any donations made in payment to Leukemia/Lymphoma Society can be forwarded by the family.