Corey Daniel Helton

Corey Daniel Helton was born September 29, 1991 and had been a resident of Athens for the past five years, formerly of Trinidad, Texas. He was raised in East Texas and graduated from Legacy High School in 2010. He had a deep love for working with and around horses and was known for his ability to make people laugh. His humor, warmth, and generous spirit left a lasting impression on everyone who knew him. He was a member of the Cowboy Church in Kaufman, Texas, where he found fellowship and faith within a non-denominational community.
Corey passed away at the age of 33 on September 22, 2025. He was preceded in death by his father, Daniel Brian Helton; his maternal grandparents, Dorothy "Kay" Rigsbay and James "Larry" Agan; and his paternal grandparents, Billie Marie Helton and John Henry Helton.
Corey is survived by his mother, Kimberly Kay Krase of Athens, Texas; his son, Axel James Helton, age 6, of Athens, Texas; and his siblings - Cody Helton and wife Stormie Helton of Athens, Tabitha Helton and boyfriend Richard Callaway of Athens, David Durbin and wife Christina Hernandez of Hutto, Katey Helton and husband Steven Sam of Corsicana, and Carissa Helton and husband Lexx Horton of Kerens. He is also survived by several aunts and uncles: Michell and David Mitchell of Princeton, Margie and James Turner of Kaufman, Linda and Johnny of Elmo, and Mike Helton of Mabank. He is lovingly remembered by the mother of his son, Shelby McSweeney of Athens, Texas, and by his many nieces and nephews - Gabriel Helton, Atlas Trujano-Helton, Ayden Durbin, Silas Sam, Maryeuh Castaneda, Emadree Castaneda, Serenity Durbin, Nova Durbin, and Chloe Van Houten.