Buddy Helton
October 19, 1929 — August 14, 2019
Roscoe Gerald "Buddy" Helton, 89, of Phenix City, AL died Wednesday, August 14, 2019 at Piedmont Midtown Hospital.
Funeral services will be held 2:00 PM Tuesday, August 20, 2019 at Lakewood Baptist Church with Rev. MR Hamilton officiating. A private interment will be held at Lakeview Memory Gardens. The family will receive friends Monday evening from 5:00 to 7:00 PM at McMullen Funeral Home and Crematory 3874 Gentian Blvd. Columbus, GA 31907.
Buddy was born October 19, 1929 in Alabama son of the late Roscoe Elmer Helton and Alma Thaxton. He was the owner of multiple service stations in Phenix City and Columbus for the last 40+ years, Buddy Helton's Chevron on 4th Ave.
"Alabama went to the 1973 Cotton Bowl and so did I. Overcoming a 13-point deficit Texas drowned the Crimson Tide 17-13. Afterward, Bear Bryant blamed himself for the loss and in my column I agreed with the coach's assessment.
That did not set well with Buddy Helton. I had only been in town a little while and I didn't understand his connection to Bear and Bama. So when he called and asked me to come by his gas station I did so without fear.
With a smile on his face Buddy explained to me that Bear Bryant was Bear Bryant and I was just a sports writer. He chewed me out - then for the next 45 years he was my friend.
If you didn't know him, you must understand that Buddy operated a full service gas station. He cleaned your windshield, checked your oil, filled your tank and talked about the Crimson Tide.
That man loved the University of Alabama and their football team with a loyalty deeper than anyone I've ever met. It was in his soul and his DNA. And yeah, I'm including Bryant and that Saban guy. I bet neither of them had a car whose horn played the Alabama Fight Song. Buddy did, and he loved to serenade Auburn folks.
If you know your history you know how many great players from Central High School ended up at Alabama. Was it fate? No, it was because of a guy who pumped gas and made friends. Think about Bryant's funeral in 1983. Buddy was there and mong the eight pallbearers were Jeremiah Castille and Eddie Lowe.
Buddy also loved the Lord. He talked about Jesus when he was pumping gas. He also loved quartet music where four fellows in matching suits gather around a piano and sing old gospel favorites.
That's why Buddy's face lit up one afternoon when I brought legendary gospel singer, Jake Hess, by the gas station. Buddy broke down and cried.
In years to come, they made beautiful music together. Jake sang lead and Buddy sang bass...believing that singing could ease a troubled soul.
They used to get up early and sing on Calvin Floyd's TV show, joining Jake's son, Chris and his wife, Cindy with Dr. Daniel Windsor on piano. When he hit those low notes, Buddy was in heaven.
As you can see, there was a lot of love in Buddy Helton. And now that he's gone, even Auburn folks are returning that love to him.
To me, the corner of 13th and Veterans will always belong to Buddy. And now, if he should run into Bear Bryant, I hope Buddy tells him that I still think he blew that Cotton Bowl game. " - Richard Hyatt
Other than his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Patsy Ruth Jones Helton and brother, Denny Helton.
Survivors include his son, Mike Helton (Anna) of Phenix City, AL, grandchildren, Jenifer Lee Newbolt (Chad), Ashley Marie Johnson (Seth), Gavin Thomas Graf (Brittaney) and Ashlyn Marie Graf, and sister, Betty Weaver, and 10 great-grandchildren.
Those who wish may sign the on-line guest registry at www.mcmullenfuneralhome.com.
3874 Gentian Blvd
Columbus, GA, 31907
4011 Lakewwod Drive
Phenix City, AL, 36867
Funeral services will be held 2:00 PM Tuesday, August 20, 2019 at Lakewood Baptist Church with Rev. MR Hamilton officiating. A private interment will be held at Lakeview Memory Gardens. The family will receive friends Monday evening from 5:00 to 7:00 PM at McMullen Funeral Home and Crematory 3874 Gentian Blvd. Columbus, GA 31907.
Buddy was born October 19, 1929 in Alabama son of the late Roscoe Elmer Helton and Alma Thaxton. He was the owner of multiple service stations in Phenix City and Columbus for the last 40+ years, Buddy Helton's Chevron on 4th Ave.
"Alabama went to the 1973 Cotton Bowl and so did I. Overcoming a 13-point deficit Texas drowned the Crimson Tide 17-13. Afterward, Bear Bryant blamed himself for the loss and in my column I agreed with the coach's assessment.
That did not set well with Buddy Helton. I had only been in town a little while and I didn't understand his connection to Bear and Bama. So when he called and asked me to come by his gas station I did so without fear.
With a smile on his face Buddy explained to me that Bear Bryant was Bear Bryant and I was just a sports writer. He chewed me out - then for the next 45 years he was my friend.
If you didn't know him, you must understand that Buddy operated a full service gas station. He cleaned your windshield, checked your oil, filled your tank and talked about the Crimson Tide.
That man loved the University of Alabama and their football team with a loyalty deeper than anyone I've ever met. It was in his soul and his DNA. And yeah, I'm including Bryant and that Saban guy. I bet neither of them had a car whose horn played the Alabama Fight Song. Buddy did, and he loved to serenade Auburn folks.
If you know your history you know how many great players from Central High School ended up at Alabama. Was it fate? No, it was because of a guy who pumped gas and made friends. Think about Bryant's funeral in 1983. Buddy was there and mong the eight pallbearers were Jeremiah Castille and Eddie Lowe.
Buddy also loved the Lord. He talked about Jesus when he was pumping gas. He also loved quartet music where four fellows in matching suits gather around a piano and sing old gospel favorites.
That's why Buddy's face lit up one afternoon when I brought legendary gospel singer, Jake Hess, by the gas station. Buddy broke down and cried.
In years to come, they made beautiful music together. Jake sang lead and Buddy sang bass...believing that singing could ease a troubled soul.
They used to get up early and sing on Calvin Floyd's TV show, joining Jake's son, Chris and his wife, Cindy with Dr. Daniel Windsor on piano. When he hit those low notes, Buddy was in heaven.
As you can see, there was a lot of love in Buddy Helton. And now that he's gone, even Auburn folks are returning that love to him.
To me, the corner of 13th and Veterans will always belong to Buddy. And now, if he should run into Bear Bryant, I hope Buddy tells him that I still think he blew that Cotton Bowl game. " - Richard Hyatt
Other than his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Patsy Ruth Jones Helton and brother, Denny Helton.
Survivors include his son, Mike Helton (Anna) of Phenix City, AL, grandchildren, Jenifer Lee Newbolt (Chad), Ashley Marie Johnson (Seth), Gavin Thomas Graf (Brittaney) and Ashlyn Marie Graf, and sister, Betty Weaver, and 10 great-grandchildren.
Those who wish may sign the on-line guest registry at www.mcmullenfuneralhome.com.
Visitation
AUG 19. 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM (EST)
McMullen Funeral Home and Crematory3874 Gentian Blvd
Columbus, GA, 31907
Funeral Ceremony
AUG 20. 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM (est)
Lakewood Baptist Church4011 Lakewwod Drive
Phenix City, AL, 36867
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