Memorial Service: Colby Helton

Obituary:

Colby Lamont Helton, was born Oct 3, 1989, in Ogden Utah, son of Teri Greenwell and Jaden Helton. He made his home in Pocatello, Idaho with Nayeli Ruiz, where they had four beautiful children. passed from this life into the presence of His Savior on Feb 19, 2022.

Colby is survived by his wife Nayeli and five children: Summer, Zurick, Allie-May, Colby Jr., and Maddison. He is also survived by his mother Teri, father Jaden, and siblings Zackary, Braxton, Hallie, and Bayleigh.

Colby is preceded in death by his grandparents Papo and Bama, Grandpa Lamont, and Auntie Traci.

Memories

Hallie/Sister: He taught me how to ride my bike. He and Zack made me and Braxton deathly scared of the attic door in my room because boogalo lived up there. He told me girls with tan lines are not hot.

Dusty/Cousin: Colby was a heck of an athlete, since playing rec football. I got a kick out of him when I helped coach his team. He always wanted to be better than me. We had such a close relationship…but we had a fun competition. He wore my same jersey number. In huddles if we needed a big play, Colby used to say, “You already know what we’re gonna do. Just give me the ball and let me do my thing.”

He was the most conceited person I ever met, always to the nine…nice shoes, shirts, haircuts. I used to think he was the man.

Oh man that boy could eat candy & sweets. Every time we were together it seemed like he had an endless pocket full of candy. He ate it…but he shared with everyone

That kid could sell pork chops to a vegan. He had a knack for business when he was young. He had a way with words. He could make you believe everything he was telling you.

One of our favorite things to do was to jump in the care, roll down the windows, blast the music, and just drive.

I’ll always remember how protective he was of Zach. He always made sure his family was safe, but when it came to Zach, there wasn’t anything he wouldn’t do for him.

There are so many stories I could tell. I’ll always have love for Colby. I’ll always remember him as the kid would used to look up to me and follow me everywhere. I’ll remember his laugh that puts a smile on anyone’s face…His kindness: If he had…you had.

I remember him always fighting his demons for his family. The last time I talked to him he told me how lucky he was to have a woman to love and stand by him. All he did was brag about his kids and talk about the future. A future where Colby was at peace.

Colby loved hard, played hard and always wore his heart on his sleeve. He was a good dad, husband, friend, cousin, brother, and son. He may be gone but he will never be forgotten. I’m gonna miss him.

Uncle Nick: I remember him being stuck on Aunt Jess’s leg whenever she was around. I still hear him saying “what up unk?”

Auntie Jess: He was always so happy to see all of us!!! Always smiling and only called me “Auntie”

Braxton (brother): I will remember Colby for never letting me win at Madden. I will remember Colby for holding me down and smacking my forehead, asking me to name 5 candy bars. I will remember Colby as my motivation for lifting, not because he inspired me to be healthy, but because I desperately needed an advantage in order to beat him up. I will remember Colby for teaching me how to talk to girls (which landed me a hot wife, mind you).

I will remember his Jeep Cherokee and how absurdly loud he would play his music, how fast he would drive, and how far he would lean his seat back.

I will remember waiting by the upstairs window in the West Haven house, anxiously waiting for Colby and Zack to come home.

I will remember every baseball, football, and soccer game both my brothers attended, because of how deeply I love and admire them.

In the first grade my mom let me have a sleepover with a few of my friends. While we were playing Mortal Kombat in the living room, Colby and Zack snuck up to the balcony from outside and into the kitchen/living room. They snatched 2 of my friends and dangled them over the balcony. The best/most cruel part is that my birthday is in January so its freezing and snowing outside. My friend Dalin and I still reminisce about what they did that day…and how scared he was.

Zack (brother): Getting a truck stuck during a test drive and nobody knowing where they were while walking down the mountain

Spending time camping and hunting at the land with the family. Sneaking out of the house while mom was sleeping, taking her car to hang out with friends. Going to the dunes and riding 4-wheelers with Mom, Braxton, and Hallie. Posing for recreation pictures, turning hats backwards. Getting matching tattoos.

Dixie (Grandma): Colby was my first grandchild and a little character from the start. His Aunt Cynamon and I tended hi all the time and he’d have a fit when he had to leave. Too many memories to mention. But he definitely lit up the room. His Grandpa Robb says he had a swagger.

Tifini (Auntie): I am utterly devastated and heartbroken. I tried so very hard to let him know how precious he was…I adored him! The sweetest boy, with the biggest heart and a smile that lit up the room. Colby and I had a very special, sacred bond because our addiction

Jaden (Dad): “He was way cool!”

Teri (Mom): Even though Colby gave me stretch marks, a scar from a c-section and was a pain in the butt all of his life, he still always made me proud. He never gave up and always wanted to be better. He would go to practice, run and work-out after practice. And even get girls to do his homework so he would have good enough grades to play ball.

He loved his siblings so much that he even learned to do Hallie’s hair as pretty as his own, which taught him to be the great father that he was later in life. But he never did make his mom stop tickling his back, no matter how awkward it is.

One of my proudest moments was his selflessness when he volunteered to be a peer tutor at school. He always had a lot of friends and my house is where they all would gather to ride the 4-wheeler, jump on the trampoline, and shoot each other with paint balls.

Nayeli: He was a wonderful dad. Always goofy, full of life, cracking jokes, and teasing me and the kids.

He liked oldies music: Fleetwood Mac, Stevie Nicks, Van Morrison. He liked country: George Straight and Blackhawk. He liked Tupac, Lil’ Wayne, Drake, and Eminem.

He taught Zurick and Hallie how to ride the bike

He liked being the light in the room

Kimberly Dumalag: This man was an amazing friend, he stopped me in church and told me I was a very strong woman and he could feel the presence of god around me, he was so gentle to my son who is blind and always lend an ear to talk about my daughter who struggles, I pray for Nayeli and her beautiful children and his mom and siblings. May they find peace in our lord and savior, and he will carry them through this. I'm so sorry for your loss, it's truly heartbreaking

Tony Mancilla: Words fall short…praying for his family especially Nayeli and their beautiful kids. I'm going to miss texting Colby about football and what was going on with our teams. He was becoming a good friend in the short time I knew him. I'm glad he got a chance to hear about Gods love.

Teresa: Colby was a ray of sunshine at Powerhouse. ALWAYS FRIENDLY, courteous and helpful, to EVERYONE! My prayers are with Nayeli and children, may they find strength, peace and comfort through OUR HEAVENLY FATHER! He will be immensely missed!

Message Introduction

May I tell you a few things I know from spending quite a lot of time with Colby?

He was an example of the hope that comes from surrendering one’s life to Jesus as Savior

When I first met Colby, he was an open book. He wasn’t afraid to share his struggles and fears. He wasn’t ashamed to say he wanted to follow Jesus

Later on, when I had more time with Colby, I found out what a sincerely generous and kind person he was

When Linda and I needed help moving, he was there with us for the whole thing. He was a brute with moving that big stuff

When I couldn’t figure out why my headlight wasn’t working…he worked on it until he figured it out…out in the frigid weather

Colby was digging into the Bible, praying, reading, listening to podcasts. listening to worship music. He was doing everything He could to grow in his faith. As you know…Colby didn’t do things half-way.

Since November, he and I tried to meet weekly just to study the Bible

We would study the Bible, but first he would just pour out his heart to me about his worries, his battles, his love for Nayeli and the kids, and his plans to keep working hard to be who God made him to be.

I usually set aside an hour if I am going to meet with someone. I had to toss that out the window with Colby. An hour wasn’t enough for him. He was determined to pour out his heart, ask questions, learn, and live out what he was learning.

We became good friends. He always had a hug for me and wasn’t afraid to say “I love you Pastor.” We enjoyed spending time together. He probably thought he was there to learn from me, but I learned from him. He encouraged me a lot. He built me up when he sensed I was discouraged. I am going to miss him so much.

The way he answered the phone was so funny — I couldn’t tell if he was mad, just waking up, or what. You guys know…I can’t recreate it.

Not only was Colby an example of the transforming power of surrendering one’s life to Jesus...

He was an example…a heartbreaking reminder of the dangers of addiction

Over the last few weeks, Colby really opened up to me about his struggle…the battle he was going through physiologically, spiritually, and mentally.

He was determined to win, but it became increasingly more difficult as he became increasingly more exhausted and weary.

From Sunday the 14th through Thursday the 17th of February, we spent a big part of each day together. He stayed at our home, ate with us, and showed love to us.

In our conversations, one minute he was okay, and the next he wasn’t sure if he could make it.

He was an example of fierce spiritual warfare

In every conversation, we talked about the battle —

We often prayed together

Please remember this: We have an enemy that wants to exploit our weakness and destroy our lives

We went over several powerful truths in the Word of God

1 Peter 5:8 ESV

Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.

2 Corinthians 10:4–5 ESV

For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ,

1 John 4:4 The Message

My dear children, you come from God and belong to God. You have already won a big victory over those false teachers, for the Spirit in you is far stronger than anything in the world.

Colby didn’t take the battle lightly…that’s why we spent so much time together

He understood what he was battling: Satan, addiction, mental attacks, and a growing exhaustion because of the fight.

Although he finally lost the battle here in this life, I want you to know and do not doubt, Colby WON the big battle…the eternal battle.

In fact, when I shared some of this with Tifini (aunt) this morning she sent me a message, all in caps, that said, COLBY WON!

He was an example of God’s amazing grace

The reason Colby won wasn’t because of his intelligence or determination to beat the addiction - We all would give anything for him to have won that battle

Colby won because, in spite of the battle, he never gave up his faith

Every time I told him, “God is with you, even when you don’t feel it.” Colby responded “Oh, I know He is with me.” He talked about how powerful and comforting God’s presence was every day.

Conclusion

In a way, Colby reminds me of King David in the Bible.

David faced much victory and even more suffering. From hanging out in the desert caring for the sheep, to boldly facing the giant Goliath and defeating him. From being anointed king, only to be sent back to the sheep for a few years. From being a military hero in Israel to being chased down by King Saul — who put a hit out on David’s life because he was jealous of David. From hiding out in caves with his ragtag group of soldiers and followers, to going to live with the enemy because he had nowhere else to hide.

David also made some gigantic errors, like having an affair with one of his loyal general’s wives and then having that general killed in battle to cover up the scandal.

Listen to David’s heart when he had to confront his sin…

Psalm 51:9–11 ESV

Hide your face from my sins, and blot out all my iniquities. Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from your presence, and take not your Holy Spirit from me.

He always ran back to God…he always thanked God for His grace and love even when things looked bad all around Him.

David was a man after God’s own heart

That’s the kind of heart I saw in Colby...

In Psalm 34, he painted a beautiful picture depicting how God feels about the brokenhearted. You are brokenhearted today -

Colby, this bigger-than-life man we love and admire so much...died of an overdose on February 19.

There are no suitable words to describe what happened: it was shocking, unbelievable, tragic, heartbreaking…it crushed your hearts.

God’s love is overwhelmingly intense and personal toward each one of you, Nayeli, Teri, Jaden, and family. I pray for some solace as you experience what King David experienced so many times through life’s tragedies:

Psalm 34:18 ESV

The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.

Psalm 34:18 The Message

If your heart is broken, you’ll find God right there; if you’re kicked in the gut, he’ll help you catch your breath.

Please know that it is okay to ask “why?” You may not receive an answer on this side of heaven. It is important to grieve, mourn, and experience deep sorrow…to weep, question, feel anger, and sometimes feel nothing at all because you are numb.

In your questioning, sorrow, weeping, and roller-coaster ride of emotions, please remember this: when you run out of tears, questions, and strength, God’s love is still the same. Jesus is waiting for you to lean into Him and let it all out. Run to Him…not away from Him

The pattern of grief...

Psalm 13:1–2 ESV

How long, O Lord? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me? How long must I take counsel in my soul and have sorrow in my heart all the day? How long shall my enemy be exalted over me?

Psalm 13:5–6 ESV

But I have trusted in your steadfast love; my heart shall rejoice in your salvation. I will sing to the Lord, because he has dealt bountifully with me.

A couple last thoughts

First: Nayeli… you may feel like you could have prevented this tragedy — Let me encourage you — you did everything you could, everything you knew to do in your role as a mama bear and a loving wife.

(pray for Nayeli and others struggling with guilt and regrets)

Second: For any of you who are struggling trying to find some hope and a good future…do not give up.

Addictions do not have to end like this…God wants to give you life and hope

God does heal and He does deliver…whether it is an addiction, a broken heart, or disappointments that nobody understand.

John 3:16 ESV

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.

2 Peter 3:9 ESV

The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.

Benediction

Song: How can it be (Lauren Daigle