Mr. Clarence James "Jim" Helmericks Jr

C.J. (Jim) Helmericks, Jr. went to be with the Lord on April 2, 2014. Born on November 26, 1923 in Ford County, IL to Clarence James Helmericks, Sr. and Abbie Ladelle Cornelius Helmericks. After 1941 high school graduation, he went west to Arizona and worked as a ranch hand and miner until he joined the U. S. Army air force during WW II and flew many missions as a B-17 tail gunner. In 1950 he graduated from University of AZ with a BS in mechanical engineering, pursuing a career in mechanical engineering with International Harvester and Garrett Corp. He was instrumental in the construction of Perry Park Pool in east Phoenix in the 1950’s and also helped in the establishment of the Phoenix Zoo. In 1965 he purchased a steel fabrication business which engineered, designed and fabricated heavy equipment for the Colorado mining industry. Jim conceived the idea for Purgatory Ski Area at Durango and was project engineer for the original phase. He also proposed the creation of Durango’s industrial park in the 1960’s. Jim served as a deacon in various Baptist churches wherever he lived. He was community minded and served several years as a volunteer patrolman for the Prescott Police department and AZ Highway Patrol. He was a 13th generation grandson of Mayflower Colony Pilgrim Gov. William Bradford of Plymouth, Mass., and a lifetime member of the Bradford Compact and the National and AZ Mayflower Society of Mayflower descendants. Jim and Jemmi enjoyed playing and singing Bluegrass gospel music and performed at the Sharlot Hall Museum folk festival in the 1980’s as well as nursing homes, churches, and bluegrass festivals. Jim was an avid hunter and fisherman, RV-er, and enjoyed the out-of-doors on his ranch in southwestern Colorado. He is survived by sons Jim III and wife Sharon (Jimmy IV, Joey and Jeb); Steven and wife Kathie (Liv, Hayley and Wilson); daughter Rebecca Welsome (Ben, Abbie and Daniel); step-daughters Ronda Bilderback (Brandon and Ryan); Christie and Steven Kaiser (Mariah and Cody); and Beth and Joe Buzzello (Alyssa). He was preceded in death by his parents, son Greg, his wife Jemmi, his sister Lily Griest and brothers John of Colorado and Harmon (Bud) Helmericks of Alaska. Donations and memorials in lieu of flowers: Christian Academy of Prescott, 148 S. Marina St., Prescott, Ariz. 86303 “CAPTAP” for tuition assistance (phone 928-445-2565) Funeral Service will be held at Hampton Funeral Home, 240 S. Cortez St., Prescott, Ariz., Friday, April, 11, 2014, with visitation between 9-10:00a.m., funeral at 10:00a.m., with interment at Phoenix National Cemetery at 2:00p.m. in Cave Creek, Ariz.

Mr. Clarence James "Jim" Helmericks Jr

November 26, 1923 - April 2, 2014