Darrell Keith Helton, 49, of Huddy, Kentucky, was a Belfry volunteer firefighter when he lost his life on September 5, 2024, while responding to a structure fire. He was the son of Elaine and Greg Helton. Darrell had the heart of a servant; he served his community for over a decade as a volunteer fireman and as a coal truck driver.

Darrell had one daughter, Whitney Helton-Spartman, of Elkhorn City, Kentucky. He spent most of his years working and providing for his family. He was blessed with two grandchildren, Bentley Ryan Spartman and Paxton Kate Spartman, who he thought the world of. In Darrell’s free time, he loved spending his time outdoors, whether it was riding his side-by-side, mowing grass, or just sitting outside on the porch with his two favorite buddies, Sammy and Bear. He loved his dogs dearly and would have done anything for them. He leaves behind many memories, lots of love, family and friends.

As his daughter, I have a few favorite memories of my dad. When I was young and living at home, no matter where my father was, I was right beside him, learning and being taught everything he did. This is my most cherished memory. He taught me everything I know in this life, and for that I am forever thankful.

Another favorite memory is from when I was about six months pregnant with my first child. My dad called me to ask if I would name my son Bentley, because he had a dream about this name. Since that day, he began to spoil him and started buying construction trucks before he was born. My dad’s explanation for that was, “When Bentley gets older, he has them already, and I wanted to be the first one to buy him these trucks.” I told my son that his Papaw was the one who named him, and he will forever be one special little boy. His Papaw bought him the first of many boy toys he could have ever imagined.

Five years later, I gave my father another grandchild to love and spoil—his first granddaughter, Paxton. He began to spoil her, and she thought the world of him. He would tell me daily, “It’s like watching you grow up all over again, Whitney.” The list of memories could go on forever, but these are just a few I cherish the most.

My father was an outstanding man, but most of all he was and still is the best father in the world. Life is short, and time is fragile, but I spent the first 27 years of my life making the best memories with him!