James Hans Helland

James H. Helland Jim, age 80, born on March 6, 1922, in San Antonio, passed away on Christmas Day, December 25, 2002, after a valiant battle with cancer. Jim Helland was a self made Oilman, a devoted, loving husband, provider and father of four, a loving granddad and a great man we all dearly love and miss. He was a World War II Veteran, politician, avid golfer, skier and entrepreneur. He graduated from Mark Twain and Thomas Jefferson High School in 1939. He received a degree in Geology from the University of Texas of Austin, was a member and house manager of Kappa Sigma Fraternity. He served as a 1st Lieutenant in the U.S. Army 1943-1946, with combat at Okinawa and Saipan was in the Occupation force in Japan. He was first employed by Stanolind in South Texas and Calgary, Canada, where he met the love of his life, Patty Ford. They moved to Beeville, Texas in 1950 to start a new life together where he started his own independent oil and gas exploration business. In 1957 he moved his family back to San Antonio where he lived until his death. Once in San Antonio he became active in the Republican Party where the fighter in him and others helped initiate the infant Party from primaries in garages to the eventual dominance of State Politics. He ran on the first complete Republican State Legislative ticket for Bexar County with Ted McAlester, Henry Catto, Herry Orem and Ike Kampmann, In 1964 he became the First Republican elected as a Bexar County Commissioner since Reconstruction. Again, as throughout his life, he sought justice removing election material at the Bexar County Courthouse and casting the deciding vote to enact a hospital tax so Bexar County would get the University of Texas teaching hospital. Today's Medical Center is a testament to his stubbornness and foresight. For years he enjoyed skiing, especially in Crested Butte, and golfing with the 200 Club and other friends around the world. He was Vice President of Dad's Association at UT Austin, President of San Antonio Country Club, served on the Board of Petroleum Club, member of the Texas Cavaliers, American Association of Petroleum Geologist, S. Texas Geologic Society, San Antonio Country Club, Argyle Club, Order of the Alamo and German Club. For years he labored successfully as an Independent Oilman, a wildcatter in a boom and bust business .He worked until the end, knowing that his last well was good. He is in a better place and he knew that all the mysteries of life would be answered and that God has a plan for our eternal life. He was preceded in death by his parents, Hans R.F. Helland and Frances H. Helland. He is survived by his wife, Patricia Ford Helland; his children, Hans R.F. Helland and wife Catherine Morris Helland, Sally Helland, Suzanne Helland Tate and husband, Jeff, all of San Antonio, Teresa Helland Wakely of Boise, Idaho; grandchildren, Sarah and William R. H. Helland, Hallie and Wolfgang Kentz of Houston, and Hannah, and Danielle, Patricia and Alexander Wakely; sister, Frances A. Watts of San Antonio; brother, Richard E. Helland and wife, Julie of Columbus, Ohio; and many nieces and nephews.