Clinton Helton, CH (LTC) US Army (Ret.) passed away peacefully at home on October 19, 2023 surrounded by his loving wife and family. The son of Harmon Helton and Ollie Roberts Helton, Clinton was born on December 25, 1929 in Mt. Vernon, Kentucky. Following graduation from Eastern Kentucky University with degrees in math and physics, he briefly served in both the Marine Corps and the Army Signal Corps, but retired these Commissions in order to pursue a Masters of Divinity at the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky, after which he served his first pastorate for two years at Marshall Baptist Church in Marshall, Virginia. Clinton then chose to enter the Army Chaplaincy, to which he devoted 21 years of service, including distinguished service in the Korean and Vietnam wars. He was retired from active service on August 31, 1976 at Ft. Monroe, Virginia. Clinton, a man of strong intellect and curiosity, also earned a Masters Degree in South and Southeast Asian Studies from American University in Washington, D.C.

Following his military career, Clinton continued his ministerial career as a counselor and congregational pastor. He served for seven years as pastor of a church in Washington, D.C., and as a chaplain for 15 years at The Armed Forces Retirement Home (then known as The United States Soldiers’ and Airmen’s Home).

Clinton is survived by his wife of 68 years, Loretta Ashley; children, Jana, Jonathan (Vicky), and Lori (Andrew); grandchildren, Anna, Sophie, Gabriel, Elizabeth, and Noah.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, November 4, at 1:00 p.m. in Stanley Hall Chapel at The Armed Forces Retirement Home, 140 Rock Creek Church Road, Washington, D.C. 20011. Interment will be at Arlington National Cemetery at a later date. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Please review and sign the family tribute wall online at: CollinsFuneralHome.com/obituaries