Carl Houston Helmstetter, Jr. died July 2, 2021 in Seattle of natural causes. Houston was born August 29, 1975 in Kansas City. He attended Border Star School, Pembroke Hill, Shawnee Mission East and the University of Kansas. Houston found his calling in the hospitality field, receiving a Culinary Arts degree and a degree in Business Management from Seattle-area colleges. During his twenty-plus years in Seattle he was co-owner (with his then-wife Carmen Guerra-Helmstetter) and chef of Blue Sky Bakery, and held positions in both the front of the house and the back of the house in many Seattle-area restaurants.
Houston is survived by his mother, Jan Milligan; father, Carl Helmstetter (Mary Corneil); siblings John Helmstetter and Annesley Helmstetter; stepbrother Steve Ginestra (Leeanne); uncles Bill Milligan (Gail) and Tuck Milligan (Mary Ellen Toomey); and many loving cousins and friends. His brother Robert Helmstetter and stepmother Lauren Ginestra Helmstetter predeceased him.
Services will be private. Please remember Houston fondly and think of every day as a blessing.
Memorials may be sent to St. Andrew's Episcopal Church, 6401 Wornall Terrace, Kansas City, MO 64113 or the charity of your choice
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