Christian James Helgeson

06/11/1942 – 07/06/2015

God gave us one more wake-up together as a family and then he took his servant, Christian James Helgeson peacefully on Monday morning, July 06, 2015 following a courageous battle with colon cancer.

Chris was born June 11, 1942 in Glendale, CA to his loving parents, Arnold and Helene Helgeson. He grew up in Eagle Rock, CA where he attended Eagle Rock High and graduated early at 17 years, so he could go into the Navy, which, he said, was the best thing that ever happened to him. He spent 4 years serving, becoming a 2nd Class Petty Officer Gunfire Control Technician and completed 3 cruises in the West Pacific. After his stint in the Navy, Chris attended technical school and obtained his 2nd Class FCC license, which would later benefit him as he started his career with Southern California Edison Company.

Chris began his 32-year career with SCE working in several locations. He started as a Meter Tech, moved to Telecommunications as a Tech, then into supervision. He was quickly identified as a leader and began his path into management as a Department Assistant to the VP, was the Chief Engineer in Central Transmission and his final move would be to Visalia in 1983 as the Transmission/Substation Superintendent, retiring in September, 1996.

This early retirement afforded Chris another opportunity to branch out, use his energy and wealth of knowledge. He attended College of Sequoias and received a Building/Construction 101 Certificate. During the time he attended school, he also did major construction to the family home, his handy-work is evident in every corner. He made numerous friendships, which led to a second career as a Building/Safety/Electrical Inspector with the City of Visalia where he retired after 10 years in December 2013.

Chris (CJ) was a child of God, great husband, father, Papa and friend to many. He was a self-made man with so much ambition and never a task was too daunting for him to accomplish. He loved to work on electronics, vehicles, do woodwork and construction and there were many weekends of golf locally and on vacations. With his construction background he volunteered his time to construct homes for Habitat for Humanity and College of Sequoias.

Chris was a long time member of Christ Lutheran Church of Visalia and served as a Greeter, Usher and Communion Server with his wife, Janice.

He was preceded in death by his parents and grandson, Jack Shonkweiler.

During his illness, Chris was an inspiration to his family and all who encountered him. He never lost his positive attitude, hope for a cure, courage to fight on and always trusting in God for strength and peace. We would like to thank Dr. Gilbert Chu, Stanford Hospital, Dr. Afsaneh Barzi, USC Kenneth Norris

Cancer Center, Dr. Robert Havard, Sequoia Cancer Center and all of the staff who cared so deeply for Chris during the many days of infusions, hospital stays and clinical trial research.

Chris leaves behind his wife, Janice of 28 years; his daughters, Gail Weatherholt and Linda Helgeson of Dana Point; Tiffany (Corey) Rapp of San Diego; Teresa (Anthony) Mendoza of Visalia and his only son, Tim of Visalia.

He was Papa Chris to Doug, Branden, Danielle Weatherholt, Jack and Evan Rapp, Samuel and Gracie Mendoza.

A celebration of his life will be held on Saturday, July 18, 2015 at 11:00 am at Christ Lutheran Church of Visalia, 3830 W. Tulare Avenue in Visalia, CA.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Chris’s memory to your favorite charity or ClipArts, a Christian-based program to enrich the lives of At-Risk children, % Christ Lutheran Church, 3830 W. Tulare Ave., Visalia, CA 93277.

Tributes and condolences may be made at www.millerchapel.com.

Arrangements entrusted to Miller Memorial Chapel. 1120 W. Goshen Ave., Visalia, CA 93291 (559) 732-8371