Tommy A. Helleson

Tommy A. Helleson, age 84, of West, passed away Wednesday afternoon, March 4, 2015 in Mineral Wells. Funeral services will be held 2:00 p.m. Friday, March 6, 2015 at First Baptist Church of Gholson, with Rev. James Stevens officiating. Burial will follow at Gholson Cemetery. The family will receive visitors from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Thursday at Aderhold Funeral Home. Tommy was born November 22, 1930 in Gholson, the son of Henry and Cora (Kellum) Helleson. He attended school in Gholson. Tommy was a veteran with the United States Navy, where he served on the mine sweeper ship "Jack Daws". On May 27, 1978, he was united in marriage to Fay Goldsmith in Waco. Fay preceded him in death on March 1, 2012. Tommy worked for General Tire and Rubber and Bill Harris Tire Store in Waco until his retirement. He was a member of First Baptist Church in Gholson. Tommy loved being called "Grandpaw." He enjoyed flying model planes, playing golf, fishing, tending to his pecan trees and riding his tractor. Tommy is also preceded in death by his parents; his first wife, JoAnn Helleson; a daughter, Charlotte Green; and brothers, Billie Gene Helleson and Windol Helleson. Survivors include two sons, Phillip "Chuck" Foreman of Grapevine and Jimmy Wilcox and wife Barbara of Oglesby; three daughters, Linda Cassady-Byrom and husband Graham of Millsap, Cindy Charanza and husband Johnny of Ross, and Janis Wilcox of West; brothers-in-law, Marvin Goldsmith and wife Naida, and Otis Goldsmith and wife June; 11 grandchildren; 14 great grandchildren; and many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. Active pallbearers are Joey Charanza, Chris Klaus, Tracy Fryer, Jeff Fryer, Michael Ray, Chris Dulock, Ron Goldsmith and Corky Howard. Honorary pallbearers are Carter Charanza, Gage Gordon, Braden Fryer, Tyler Ray and Joseph Wilcox. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the First Baptist Church of Gholson Building Fund.