Charles Franklin "Mickey" Helderman, III.

Charles F. “Mickey” Helderman (aka “Mike” to his military/government friends and as “Ed Schwartz” to his family & local friends. Displaying his quirky sense of humor he often answered the telephone using that pseudonym). Mickey was 76 when he passed on Saturday, July 12, 2014. He was a native of Charlotte, NC but after ending his military career he and Suzie have been residents of the Virginia Peninsula for the last 38 years. They lived in Newport News for nearly 33 years and have been living in Williamsburg for the past five years. He was a graduate of Narimasu American Military High School outside Tokyo, Japan where his father was stationed. Following the Helderman tradition of service in the military, Mickey joined the Air Force shortly after graduating from high school and served with the Air Force for 14 years. In 1969 Mickey left the Air Force and joined the Army after earning a commission as a Warrant Officer. Shortly thereafter, he was assigned to serve in Vietnam. During his military career he also served in Pakistan, Turkey, Japan and Germany. Stateside assignments included Ft. Meade, MD, San Antonio and San Angelo, TX. While serving in the military, he went to night school and ultimately earned his BSBA from Christopher Newport University. After serving for 7 years in the Army, Mickey retired and worked briefly for the aerospace industry in Texas before moving to the Peninsula to work for the Dept. of the Army, TRADOC at Fort Monroe, VA. He worked at TRADOC for 20 years before retiring from Civil Service and returning to employment in the aerospace industry. Mickey was finally convinced by his family that he should retire completely, and he did so at the age of 73. He loved his country, spy novels, travel, the beach, football, movies, his dog, and cherished his friends, but most of all he had a huge love for his wife of 56 years, kids and grandkids, always putting them first. He was generous to a fault when it came to his family and friends, and was famous for always saying “it’s another GREAT day” when asked how he was doing. Mickey was preceded in death by his parents, Charles F. Helderman, Jr. and Ruth King Helderman. He is survived by his brother Lynn P. “Butch” Helderman, his wife of 56 years, Suzanne Sobecki Helderman, his sons, Michael P. Helderman and wife Karen Kyte Helderman, and Steven C. Helderman and wife Deborah Spence Helderman, grandchildren, Trevor, Daniel and Bryce Helderman and step-granddaughter, Felicity Fox. A Mass celebrating his life will be held at St. Olaf Catholic Church in Norge, VA, on Saturday, July 19, 2014, at 11:00 a.m., followed immediately by a reception at the Colonial Heritage Clubhouse. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Virginia Living Museum in Newport News, VA, or The American Heart Association.