Jack Woodson Helton, was born on March 20, 1930, in Zybach Texas. He was the firstborn of Columbus and Alice Helton. He was known by many different handles in his lifetime but the first one was Jackie Pie Man, by his mother. His dad and grandpa before him were farmers so when the dustbowl hit in 1936, Columbus moved his family to California. They ended up settling in Chowchilla where they attended the Gospel Defenders church. That's where Jack grew up and at an early age developed a love for motors and fast cars. He loved to take his cars to the limit. He once picked up a couple of drunk men and they ended up in the floor board of the back seat, crying and begging him to let them out.

Jack took a church friend for a ride and when the friend got home he told his sister she was forbidden to ever get in Jack Helton’s car. Well, that sister happened to be Wilma Weeks. Jack met her a few months later and a courtship developed. They dated for over a year and then with their parents blessing, drove to Reno (with another couple) and got married on March 7, 1949, 74 years ago. They lived at various places for the first few years; Chowchilla, Dos Palos, Texas, and then South San Francisco (where Barney their firstborn came into their lives). Finally, they settled in Merced where they raised their family.

Cindy was born, then Peggy. Many times Jack would take his family on night rides. First he would stop by Safeway and get ham, cheese and a loaf of bread. Then he would drive them out to watch the airplanes land at Castle Air Force Base while they ate their fold-over sandwiches. Barney, Cindy and Peggy would make up all kinds of games and act silly and laugh their heads off. Life was simpler back then and they knew how to create their own kind of fun.

The Jack Helton family lived on a corner, where there was always a lot going on. Young men from the church would hang out almost every night and watch Jack work on a car, truck or motorcycle. Sometimes on a Friday night he would take those same young men out to the Merced River to spend the night, roast hot dogs, fish and swim. Jack loved to ride motorcycles with his son Barney and his friends. Every summer Jack and Wilma took their family camping up in the mountains with all of their friends - he loved it - even though most of the time he was repairing someone’s broken down motorcycle. Every night he would take his guitar to the campfire and sing the camp into fits of laughter with his version of the animal fair.

Jack had a mechanical mind and could fix anything that had a motor.

Jack was the young people's leader and choir director at Gospel Defenders church for many years. His choir traveled quite frequently to other churches to sing. Jack was an inspiration and tremendous help to Pastor Johnny Hilton. He played his Gibson dove guitar and had a beautiful voice. He sang at numerous weddings and funerals.

There are so many more stories that have accumulated over the years that would fill up several books.

He was known as Brother Jack, Uncle Jack, and many called him Grandpa Jack. If you needed advice or words of wisdom, he had them to give. He was a believer, a true friend in a time of need, a loyal son, a dear brother, a beloved husband, a cherished father, an adored grandpa, a dear and sweet great grandpa and recently a great great grandfather. He said he was rich, not in money but in family and the inheritance from the Lord.

God's own chariot no doubt needed some mechanical work done on it so God thought I'll just bring Jack on up here to help me out. So Jack went to his heavenly Father early Friday morning March 17, 2023, to be with his Lord and Savior, all of his family and loved ones that have gone on before, and to make sure Gods own chariot is up to speed and in good running condition to bring us all home in the very near future.

Jack is proceeded in death by his father Columbus, his mother Alice, and his younger siblings Wofford Ed and Sharon.

Jack is survived by his wife of 74 years, Wilma Helton.

His younger brother Donal Helton married to Joyce and brother in law Bill McDowell married to Debbie.

His three children

• Barney married to Ruth

• Cindy married to Cliff Burris

• Peggy married to David Hilton

Nine grandkids

• Barney Helton ll

• Cheryl Preston married to Sam

• Johnny Dale married to Heather

• Jared Burris lll married to Valerie

• Benji Burris married to Laura

• Miriam Rushing married to Jacob

• Priscilla Small married to Justin

• Esther Ochoa married to Eddie

• David Hilton ll married to Kasey

Twenty-Nine great grandchildren

• MacKenzie Benner married to Cody

• Shay Helton

• Whitney DeLaRosa married to Shane

• Courtney Williams married to Jacob

• Johnny Helton ll married to Meagan

• Cheyenne Helton

• Olivia Helton

• Jack Helton

• Emily Roberts married to Nathan

• JC Burris llll married to Brooklyn

• Gunner Burris

• Grant Burris

• Constance Morris married to Bobby

• Savannah Burris

• Clayton Burris married to Elizabeth

• Blake Burris

• Abby Burris

• Ava Burris

• Elliott Rushing

• Mason Rushing

• Maverick Rushing

• Scarlette Rushing

• Warren Small

• West Small

• Grace Small

• Juaquin Ochoa

• Laila Hilton

• Theodore Hilton

• Atticus Hilton

And one great great grand one!

• Emery Jade DeLaRosa

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