A prominent and respected member of the community has passed away. Timothy R. “Tim” Helton, 59, passed away on Feb. 21 at Middlesboro ARH.

Helton provided his services as the president of Community Trust Bank for 18 years. During his career, Helton accumulated 32 years of banking experience.

Twenty-two years of his career were with Commercial Bank and then Community Trust Bank. Helton was with Commercial Bank between the years 1982 and 1991. Helton then joined with Harlan National Bank where he served as commercial lending officer.

He then moved to Cumberland to serve as president of HNB before accepting a position with National City Bank as president of their Harlan and Bell County locations and regional lending manager. Since that time, Helton accepted the position of the president of Community Trust Bank. His other accomplishments included serving on the Senior Loan Committee, South Central Region Loan Committee, Compliance Committee and Sales and Market Task Force Committee.

South Central Region President of Community Trust Bank, Ricky Sparkman, stated, “I worked with him for 19 years. My heart’s just broken. And I know all the employees’ are as well. He was a tremendous asset to the bank and a good friend as well…we’re going to miss him. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family friends.”

Services for Helton will be held on Feb. 24 from 5-7 p.m. at Creech Funeral Home.