Donald Helton

Donald Milo Helton went to be with the Lord on January 7, 2024. He was born on October 3, 1937 in Goodman, Wisconsin and graduated from Goodman High School in 1955. He served 3 years in the U.S. Army Security Agency: 1 year in training and 2 years at Kagnew Station in Ethiopia. He attended the University of Wisconsin where he received a Bachelor’s Degree in economics in 1963 and a Master’s Degree in finance in 1965. After graduation, he worked for Marine National Exchange Bank in Milwaukee for 14 years then moved to Birmingham, Alabama in 1979 and worked as Senior Vice President and Manager of the Trust Investment Division of SouthTrust Bank until 1995. He also served as an adjunct professor in the School of Business at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. After leaving SouthTrust, he was self-employed as an investment consultant, expert witness on trusts and investments, and as an arbitrator for the Security and Exchange Commission. He had a private pilot license, loved Cajun/zydeco dancing, and was a volunteer with Hand in Paw taking his dog, Ryder, to Children’s Hospital and the VA Hospital as therapy for the patients. He was a member of the Church at Brook Hills.

He is survived by his daughters Shari Garrison (Lewis), Kari Helton, Tracy Hamlin (Shane), his grandchildren Tracy Orona (Frank), Morgan Tucker (Bret), Matthew and Joseph Casey, Will and Remy Garrison, and his great-grandchildren Olivia, Charlotte, Milo, Max, Liam, and Oliver; and by his sister Dorothy Berg (Al). He was preceded in his passing by his father Milo Charles Helton, mother Maude Elizabeth Mary, brother Thomas, and sister Gwen (Martens).

A Celebration of Life will be held at the Church at Brook Hills on January 11, 2024 at 2:00PM with visitation from 1:30-2:00PM. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Children’s of Alabama Hospital.