John Franklin Helms

Mr. John Franklin Helms, 77, formerly of Baylor Avenue, passed away on Wednesday, August 1, 2012, at the W.G. "Bill" Hefner VA Medical Center in Salisbury.

Funeral services are scheduled for 4:00 pm Monday, August 6, 2012, at Lady's Funeral Home Chapel. Rev. Gene Beaver and Rev. Jim Grigg will officiate. Burial with military rites will follow at West Lawn Memorial Park in China Grove.

The family will receive friends from 7 to 9:00 pm Sunday at Lady's Funeral Home.

Mr. Helms was born August 23, 1934 in Cabarrus County. He was a son of the late Rev. William Melvin Helms and Dollie Hudson Helms. He was a retired veteran of the U.S. Navy as a Petty Officer 1st Class having served for 27 years as a construction electrician. He served 3 tours in Vietnam with the NMBC-11. During his career in the Navy, he was stationed in Port Hueneme, CA, Gulfport, MS, Bahrain, Davisville, RI, Adak, AK and Little Creek, VA and retired in 1983 from the NSGA in Sabana Seca, Puerto Rico.

He was a member of Rodgers Park Baptist Church, VFW Poston-Perkins Post 8989, DAV, Masonic Lodge AF & AM in Iditarod, Alaska, National Association of Atomic Veterans, USS Estes Association.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Faye Thomas Helms.

Mr. Helms is survived by his daughter, Teresa Anderson of Monroe; son, Eric Helms and wife Kim of China Grove; sister, Iris Russell and husband Jack of Troy; two brothers, Carlton Helms and wife Betty of Concord and Gary Helms of Kannapolis; and four grandchildren, Kaitlin Anderson, Lauren Helms, Caleb Helms and Micah Helms.

Memorials may be sent to the Alzheimer's Association Western Carolina Chapter, 3800 Shamrock Drive, Charlotte, NC 28215-3220.