Born 1942; Died July 6, 1967
John Helton, respectfully called âBig Johnâ behind his back, was a Marineâs Marine. Even the Corps thought so.
John Kenneth Helton was born in Griffin, Georgia, in 1942 the oldest of three brothers: Richard, Michael and Tommy. The boys grew up on North Eighth Street. They went to Northside Grammar School, Spalding Junior High and Griffin High.
As a child, John devoted his time to Boy Scout Troop 4 at the First Methodist Church, putting together model airplanes and playing football, baseball and basketball. As he got older Johnâs team usually competed in the Griffin Slow Pitch Softball League for the city championship.