John Whitney Helms

A visitation for John will be held Tuesday, September 3, 2019 from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Goodbody Mortuary, 5027 El Cajon Blvd, San Diego, CA 92115. A shelter service will occur Wednesday, September 4, 2019 from 1:00 PM to 1:30 PM at Miramar National Cemetery, 5795 Nobel Dr., San Diego, CA 92122.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.goodbodymortuary.com for the Helms family.

Facebook post shared from Sarah (Helms) Worthington:

Posting with a heavy heart this morning as my father left this earth to be with the good lord in heaven last night (8/26/19). I learned a lot from Dad and will always have fond memories such as my first fish, first hunting trip, learning to ride a motorcycle, turning a wrench and just about being a man. Dad served in the US Navy as a helicopter mechanic aboard the aircraft carrier USS Kearsarge and was on board when they picked up the Mercury 8 space capsule, the first to splash down in the Pacific. Following the Navy, he became a San Diego Police Officer where he delivered twin boys (Jose and Javier) in a home in Barrio Logan. He would later lateral to the Sheriff’s Department and worked the courts, central jail and Santee patrol before retiring due to a back injury. Not to be one to sit around, he worked another almost 30 years as a civilian at the North Island Naval Air Rework facility doing electrical work on the F4 Phantom and FA18 Hornet fighter jets. Always easy going with a huge sense of humor and he could fix anything, you’ll be missed Homie and I love you! I’ll see you on the other side when I get there. (my brother's post)

And I would like to add that by the grace of our Lord, we were able to be reunited with our Dad for the last 3 years of his life. It wasn't always an easy road- our Dad suffered with dementia. I will always remember him as the easy-going, big-hearted man that he was. But I will also have the memory of his last months, when he suffered greatly. I too learned many things from our Dad when I was young. Being together these last few years also allowed me to enjoy some good beer and mmmmm, Sonic shakes with him. He loved the simple life and he never got that ranch in Arizona that he wanted....but, he did have 3 children who loved him to the moon and back. May he rest in peace now, in the presence of our Lord. Sarah (Helms) Worthington