Robert T. Helton

Bob was born March 3, 1944, in Salem, Oregon, the only son of Katherine and Purl Helton, and the youngest of three siblings.

He attended grade school in Portland, Oregon, and high school in Santa Cruz, California, before graduating from high school in San Carlos, California, in 1962. He was active in the Boy Scouts.

At San Jose State College, Bob earned an Associate Degree in Accounting. He continued his education earned additional degrees in communications and electronics, culminating in a Bachelor of Science degree in Electronics.

Throughout his life, Bob was an avid amateur radio operator. He began in junior high building model radios.

During the Vietnam war, Bob was drafted and was stationed in Brooklyn, New York, in the Army Finance Corps until he was discharged on parental hardship. He continued in the reserves for many years.

Bob had a long career as an accountant and enjoyed avid hobbies as an amateur radio operator and a gun collector.

In the 1970’s he met his life partner, Lilly Falcone, who later became his wife. They enjoyed 40 years together. Lilly Helton predeceased him in 2017. Bob was a very devoted caregiver for her when she contracted cancer in 2013.

Bob has a nephew, Gregory N. West of Tampa, FL and a niece, Linda A. Nation, of Dallas, TX, children of his sister, Virginia and Jim West. He also has two nieces, Sharon L. Marshall of Portland, OR, and Janice Coe, of Lake Elsinore, CA, daughters of his elder sister, Caroline Marshall, who predeceased him in 2021.

A memorial service will be held at 10:00 a.m., Thursday, December 8, at Oak Hill Funeral Home and Memorial Park, 300 Curtner Ave., San Jose, CA 95125.