Page created by: Jean Helms

Harold John Allen Helms, Colonel, US Army, Retired, 81, of Hayesville, NC, passed away on Tuesday, November 14, 2017 in the Union County Nursing Home in Blairsville, GA following his battle with Parkinson's.

John was born in Union Springs, AL to the late Seba and Dola Mathis Helms and preceded in death by his sister, Ruth Spaulding, and brother, Gerald Helms. Surviving COL Helms are his wife of 54 years, Eva Jean Hardin Helms; daughter, Jeannae Geist (Pete) of Charlotte, NC; son, Jeff Helms, LTC, US Army Retired, (Sharon) of Cumming, GA and four grandchildren: Evan Geist, Indianapolis, IN, and Brody, Mabry, and Rayann Helms, Cumming, GA.

John attended Auburn University and received his bachelor's degree from the University of Nebraska, Omaha. His 30 year military career began as a Private in the Alabama National Guard. Among his many medals and awards are the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star, and 10 Air Medals. Career highlights include: two tours in Vietnam (Ban Me Thout and Qui Nhon), O-1 (Bird Dog) Fixed Wing Pilot, Instructor Pilot in the rotary wing aircraft, Commander, 2/75 Artillery Battalion in Germany, and a four year assignment at the Pentagon. Over the course of his career, the Helms family lived in Korea, Germany, and nine different states, moving nineteen times.

"Work hard, have fun" was the motto by which John lived. He was an avid reader, golfer, and a Master Gardener. John also prepared taxes for low income families with the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Program. He was a member of the United Methodist Church and American Legion Post 532.

Services with full military honors will be held at Arlington National Cemetery at a date to be announced. Per his wish, there will be no local service. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research.

Mountain View Funeral Home in Blairsville, GA is in charge of the arrangements. You may sign the family guest book and send condolences online.