Raymond E. Helms. Jr. Capt. USN, Ret.
January 6, 1933 ~ April 19, 2017
Captain Raymond Earl Helms Jr, USN Retired, passed away at INOVA Fairfax Hospital in Falls Church, Virginia on April 19th, 2017 after 84 years of an exciting and rewarding life. Ray, known as Papa, R.E. or Captain Helms to those who knew him most dearly, departed us as he lived- respected, surrounded by love and on his own terms.
He is preceded in death by his beloved wife of 47 years, Marguerite "Peggy" Helms (ne Allmann), his brother Andriel Helms, their sister Margie Helms Steele Tyson, their parents, Mary Helms (ne Starnes) and Raymond Earl Helms Sr. and many of his friends.
He is survived by his prides and joy, daughters Cynthia Hooper and Christa Clarke, and his son and namesake Raymond Earl Helms III. He is also survived by his grandchildren- children of Cynthia and Michael Hooper, Kristin and Matthew; children of Raymond and Kelley Helms, Madeleine, Noah, Julia, and Oliva Helms; and children of Christa and Scott Clarke, Miranda, John, and Raymond Lee.
Raymond Earl Helms Jr. was born on January 6th, 1933 in Lancaster, South Carolina in a one level home built by his father on the Helms family farm to Mary and Raymond Earl Helms Sr. Growing up with his Brother Andy and Sister Margie, Raymond learned the values of hard work and self-sufficiency while developing a love of classical music and a lifelong quest for learning and getting ahead in life. After graduating from the University of South Carolina NROTC, Ray became a commissioned officer in the United States Navy commencing his 28 yearlong navy career which included service in the Vietnam War earning him a Bronze Star with Valor, two Meritorious Service Medals and many other honors along the way.
While stationed in San Diego California in the late 1950s, he met a beautiful young woman from Waconia, Minnesota, Marguerite Allman, known as Peggy to family. They married in June of 1959 and in 1960 Peggy gave birth to Cynthia in California. Shortly thereafter in 1962 and while stationed in the Philippines, Raymond Earl Helms III was born in Manila. Upon returning to California in 1966, their youngest child, Christa, was born. In 1975, the whole family moved to Fairfax, Virginia and settled into the house that would become the center of Helms family life for decades to come. Captain Helms served his country long after his naval retirement, consulting with the Department of Defense on an assignment in support of Desert Storm naval operations.
Not long after their children left the nest and married, and after Ray's second retirement, Captain and Mrs. Helms began a new career as Nana and Papa after the birth of their first grandchild Kristin Hooper in 1986. Matthew Hooper came along shortly afterward in 1988 followed by Miranda Clarke in 1994, John Clarke in 1995, Madeleine Helms in 1996, Noah Helms in 1998, Raymond Lee Clarke in 1999, Julia Helms in 2002, and Olivia Helms in 2004. Papa taught his grandkids how to carve wood, shuck walnuts, respect others and to be self-sufficient- showing them they could do anything if they had confidence in themselves and worked hard. Their home in Fairfax was packed for every Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Easter; enjoying Nana's cooking and creating many cherished memories.
In 2005 Peggy Helms passed away after a long battle with breast cancer. After her passing, he continued to spend time with his grandchildren and friends at the Virginia Elks Lodge #2188. After 12 years, Papa joined his beloved wife in death, and will be interred forever beside her in Arlington National Cemetery.
The surviving family of Captain Raymond Earl Helms Jr. will be holding a viewing on Wednesday, May 24th, 2017 from 6 o'clock to 8 o'clock in the evening.
A memorial service celebrating his life will be held the following day, Thursday, May 25th at 11 in the morning. Both services will be taking place at the Money & King Funeral Home, located at 171 Maple Avenue W, Vienna, VA 22180. Reception information will be made available to those attending.
Final interment will take place at Arlington National Cemetery on Thursday, September 7, 2017 at 9 in the morning. Raymond E. Helms. Jr. Capt. USN, Ret. will be receiving full military honors.
Condolences and flowers can be sent to Money & King Funeral Home. Alternatively, donations can be made to Raymond's favorite charity, the Elks Scholarship Fund in his name using the foundation web site (https://enf.elks.org/donate).
Funeral Home:
Money & King Funeral Home
171 W. Maple Ave.
Vienna, VA
US 22180
He is preceded in death by his beloved wife of 47 years, Marguerite "Peggy" Helms (ne Allmann), his brother Andriel Helms, their sister Margie Helms Steele Tyson, their parents, Mary Helms (ne Starnes) and Raymond Earl Helms Sr. and many of his friends.
He is survived by his prides and joy, daughters Cynthia Hooper and Christa Clarke, and his son and namesake Raymond Earl Helms III. He is also survived by his grandchildren- children of Cynthia and Michael Hooper, Kristin and Matthew; children of Raymond and Kelley Helms, Madeleine, Noah, Julia, and Oliva Helms; and children of Christa and Scott Clarke, Miranda, John, and Raymond Lee.
Raymond Earl Helms Jr. was born on January 6th, 1933 in Lancaster, South Carolina in a one level home built by his father on the Helms family farm to Mary and Raymond Earl Helms Sr. Growing up with his Brother Andy and Sister Margie, Raymond learned the values of hard work and self-sufficiency while developing a love of classical music and a lifelong quest for learning and getting ahead in life. After graduating from the University of South Carolina NROTC, Ray became a commissioned officer in the United States Navy commencing his 28 yearlong navy career which included service in the Vietnam War earning him a Bronze Star with Valor, two Meritorious Service Medals and many other honors along the way.
While stationed in San Diego California in the late 1950s, he met a beautiful young woman from Waconia, Minnesota, Marguerite Allman, known as Peggy to family. They married in June of 1959 and in 1960 Peggy gave birth to Cynthia in California. Shortly thereafter in 1962 and while stationed in the Philippines, Raymond Earl Helms III was born in Manila. Upon returning to California in 1966, their youngest child, Christa, was born. In 1975, the whole family moved to Fairfax, Virginia and settled into the house that would become the center of Helms family life for decades to come. Captain Helms served his country long after his naval retirement, consulting with the Department of Defense on an assignment in support of Desert Storm naval operations.
Not long after their children left the nest and married, and after Ray's second retirement, Captain and Mrs. Helms began a new career as Nana and Papa after the birth of their first grandchild Kristin Hooper in 1986. Matthew Hooper came along shortly afterward in 1988 followed by Miranda Clarke in 1994, John Clarke in 1995, Madeleine Helms in 1996, Noah Helms in 1998, Raymond Lee Clarke in 1999, Julia Helms in 2002, and Olivia Helms in 2004. Papa taught his grandkids how to carve wood, shuck walnuts, respect others and to be self-sufficient- showing them they could do anything if they had confidence in themselves and worked hard. Their home in Fairfax was packed for every Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Easter; enjoying Nana's cooking and creating many cherished memories.
In 2005 Peggy Helms passed away after a long battle with breast cancer. After her passing, he continued to spend time with his grandchildren and friends at the Virginia Elks Lodge #2188. After 12 years, Papa joined his beloved wife in death, and will be interred forever beside her in Arlington National Cemetery.
The surviving family of Captain Raymond Earl Helms Jr. will be holding a viewing on Wednesday, May 24th, 2017 from 6 o'clock to 8 o'clock in the evening.
A memorial service celebrating his life will be held the following day, Thursday, May 25th at 11 in the morning. Both services will be taking place at the Money & King Funeral Home, located at 171 Maple Avenue W, Vienna, VA 22180. Reception information will be made available to those attending.
Final interment will take place at Arlington National Cemetery on Thursday, September 7, 2017 at 9 in the morning. Raymond E. Helms. Jr. Capt. USN, Ret. will be receiving full military honors.
Condolences and flowers can be sent to Money & King Funeral Home. Alternatively, donations can be made to Raymond's favorite charity, the Elks Scholarship Fund in his name using the foundation web site (https://enf.elks.org/donate).
Funeral Home:
Money & King Funeral Home
171 W. Maple Ave.
Vienna, VA
US 22180
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Capt. Raymond Earl Helms, Jr. was not only a close relative, but also a close friend. We grew up as neighbors and then circumstances took us in different directions for many years. After his retirement, we resumed contact through his visits with his sister, Margie. This evolved into emails, texting, and phone calls. We claimed the same political views and found great pleasure in sharing our opinions. These I shall miss for quite some time. I extend my sincere condolences to all the members of his family. He loved each of you dearly.
I will miss you R.E……you were my hero when I was 5 years old, and I will never forget you….Your Cousin Nancy
I hope I do you justice in my remarks. Thanks for everything you did for me. Love Mike.
Ray, a truly remarkable man, left his mark on this earth in so many ways from coaching young navy men under his command to teaching his grandchildren valuable life lessons and dedicating many hours to the betterment of the Elks mission. I will never forget his ongoing kind support for me after Andy’s passing. He honored his brother in this way. Ray ranks among the best of the best who walked on planet earth.
Ray was a kindhearted, generous person. I had the pleasure of working with him over the course of many recent years on various Elks Lodge projects. I will miss him greatly.
Ray, Kel, Maddie, Noah, Julia, Livi, and Family – I was so blessed to have known Papa. He was someone I really came to love and admire. I will always remember his stories, his laugh, and the love that he brought to his family. A donation of $100 was sent to the Elks Scholarship Fund to honor those who also honor hard work and self-sufficiency. Please accept my deepest condolences.