Ricky Allen Helmick

Ricky Allen Helmick, 56, of Oak Hill passed away on Tuesday, February 17, 2015 at University of Kentucky. Born on April 22, 1958 at Oak Hill, he was the son of the late Bernard Basil and Mary Elizabeth Martin Helmick. Rick attended Harvey Chapel United Methodist Church. He was a 1976 graduate of Collins High School and earned a mining engineering degree from West Virginia Tech at Montgomery. After being employed by Monterey Coal and Hughes Tool Company, he earned his teaching certification in Special Education and taught in Fayette County at Fayette Middle School, Mount Hope High School, and Oak Hill High School. Rick left Oak Hill High School to teach at the Gene Spadaro Juvenile Detention Center in Mount Hope where he remained until October 2013. Besides spending time with his family, Rick’s true love was football. His coaching career began in 1985 with Oak Hill Midget League and continued from 1986 to 1994 as the assistant coach and defensive coordinator for the Mount Hope Mustangs. Rick was also an assistant coach at Oak Hill High School in 1995-1996 and head coach in 1996-1997, as well as an assistant coach at Fayetteville High School from 2009-2011 under head coach and friend, Frank Spangler. Two of Rick’s most memorable accomplishments include being a part of the Mustangs’ 1989 victory in the “A” State Championship and being selected as an assistant coach in 2011 for the North-South Game. Both accomplishments were alongside his good friend, Eddie Souk. Rick was also an assistant girls’ basketball coach for two years at Oak Hill High School, under the direction of friend, Jerry Epperly. Coach Helmick, AKA “The Hammer”, was known for his fiery spirit on the field, but also for his family devotion off the field. He was a loving husband, father, and grandfather who never failed to put his family first especially in spoiling both Holly and Katelynn. Those who knew Rick have many stories to tell, especially of his jokes, pranks, and amusing poetry. He was a source of entertainment to all he encountered, even when he wasn’t singing and dancing to his own lyrics. Rick’s contagious smile and loving demeanor will be sadly missed. Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by his older brother, Ronnie Gene Helmick, Sr. Left to cherish his memory include his wife, Ella Austin Helmick; daughter, Holly Durham; granddaughter, Katelynn Durham; nephews, Ronnie Gene “Moe” Helmick and wife Michele and Bernard Helmick; Niece Ronda Helmick, great-nephew, Jon Helmick, great-nieces, Elizabeth and Sara Helmick; many aunts and uncles; and a host of other family and friends. Funeral services will be held at 12 noon on Monday, February 23, 2015 at Dodd-Payne-Hess Funeral Home, Fayetteville, with Rev. Pete Lokant and Connie Holly officiating. Burial will follow at High Lawn Memorial Park, Oak Hill. The family will receive friends from 5 to 7 PM, Sunday, February 22, 2015 at the funeral home. Pallbearers will be Dan Poland, Eddie Souk, Wally Boyd, Raymond Davidson, Ken Maynard, Tom Booth, Larry Canterbury, Jerry Epperly, Jesse Bane, and Mark Sundstrom. The family would like to express their great thanks to Dr. Brandi Wright of UVA and Dr. Jeremy Stapleton of CAMC. For those wishing to express your condolences to the Helmick family, you may do so by visiting our website at www.doddpaynehessfuneralhome.com. The family has entrusted arrangements to Dodd-Payne-Hess Funeral Home, 350 W. Maple Avenue, Fayetteville, WV.