Obit of Helms Jr., John Franklin - Grady County, Oklahoma Submitted by: Gene Phillips 03 Jun 2007 Return to Grady County Archives: http://www.usgwarchives.net/ok/grady/grady.html ===================================================================== USGENWEB NOTICE Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm ===================================================================== :: JOHN FRANKLIN HELMS, JR. John Franklin Helms, Jr. went to be with the Lord on Monday, September 4, 2006. He was born to John and Hattie Helms in Agawam, Oklahoma, on February 5, 1917, the third of five children. During WWII, John proudly served his country in the south Pacific, alongside his brother Emit and others from Grady County in Oklahoma. After the war, John moved to Dinuba, California, and on September 10, 1949, he married Betty Lou Parker. A devout family man, John's greatest joy was spending time with his family - especially his beloved grand and great-grandchildren. His quick wit, gentle humor, and warm hugs will be greatly missed. In the 1970's, John served on the church board at Faith Temple, and later attended Peoples Church for many years. John worked in heavy construction for 31 years, and helped build many highways, road, and irrigation systems throughout California. He was a member of the Operating Engineers Union, Local 3 for 56 years. His parents, John and Hattie Helms; brothers, Emit "Buddy" and James Helms; and sister, Grace Still, preceded John in death. John is survived by Betty, his loving wife of almost 57 years; his sister, Ethel "Jaci" Lazarus; his four children, Barbara Shipley and her husband Jerry, Lynn "Buck" Helms and his wife Esther, and Marian Brown and her husband David, all of Fresno, and Wade Helms of Modesto; 11 grandchildren, three great- grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews. Visitation will be at Stephens & Bean Chapel on Thursday, September 7, 2006, from 2:00 to 7:00 p.m. A Funeral Service will be held at Stephens & Bean Chapel on Friday, September 8, 2006, at 10:00 a.m. STEPHENS & BEAN CHAPEL202 No. Teilman, Fresno (559) 268-9292Lic. #11 Published in the Fresno Bee from 9/6/2006 - 9/14/2006. --------------------------------------------------------------------- Return to Grady County Archives: http://www.usgwarchives.net/ok/grady/grady.html