Search by Name

Add a Memory

Send Flowers

Make a Donation

Share Obituary

Charles "Chuck" Helpingstine

FUNERAL HOME

Walker's Funeral Home of Chapel Hill

11680 US Highway 15 501 N

Chapel Hill, North Carolina

Charles Helpingstine Obituary

Charles "Chuck" Helpingstine

Chapel Hill

Charles Jayhue Helpingstine (Chuck) died Thursday, August 14, 2014 in Chapel Hill. Born in Puerto Rico on August 8, 1961 to Jay (Helpingstine) Elliott and the late Ritchey Wyman Helpingstine.

Chuck was owner of Johnny T Shirt in Chapel Hill and Hillsborough.

He is survived by wife Beth Keiger Helpingstine, daughter Tori Helpingstine, son Chase Helpingstine of Raleigh, brother Mike Helpingstine and sister-in-law Fran Helpingstine of Cary, sister Demaree Skibicki and brother-in-law Norbert Skibicki of Naperville, Illinois and father Jay (Helpingstine) Elliott and stepmother Jan Elliott of Naples, Florida. Additional survivors include step brother Troy Warton and wife Donna, step sister Tracy King and husband Pat, and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and loving relatives.

Visitation with family will be held at Walker's Funeral Home of Chapel Hill on Sunday, August 17, 2014 from 2:00PM to 4:00PM. A memorial service will be planned and held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Volunteers for Youth of Orange County (www.volunteersforyouth.org), Durham Interfaith Hospitality Network (dihn.org), Mental Health America of the Triangle

(www.mhatriangle.org) or Water.org

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The News & Observer on Aug. 16, 2014.

Memories and Condolences
for Charles Helpingstine

30 Entries

Elizabeth Soboeiro

August 25, 2014

I am so sorry for your loss. Chuck and Mike were some of the first people I met at UNC. I will never forget how comfortable they made me feel. Chuck was a great boss and provided such a fun atmosphere at Johnny T shirt. You are in our thoughts and prayers.

Jay Miller

August 23, 2014

Word's can't express my feelings since I heard of Chuck's passing. He was a good friend of mine - we spent all of the 90's together with our kid's growing up as neighbors on Cardiff in Ironwoods. Since that time we stayed in touch on a pretty regular basis. I have been a mental health advocate and Chuck helped me as a donor and participant in several fundraisers. I honestly did know know how deeply personal this issue was for Chuck, but I do know the pain and stigma of mental illness and I am very sorry for his personal struggles. He was a kind and compassionate person and I will always remember and honor his spirit, keeping him in mind as we all look to help those that struggle with these issues. My heart goes out to his loving family.

Ian Howes

August 22, 2014

Chuck and I played some fun games of tennis together and he was always a great sportsman. A sweet man with a gentle heart. I'll miss him.

Isaac Wallace

August 20, 2014

My thoughts and love are with his family.

Dave Hooper

August 20, 2014

Beth, I am so sorry to hear about Chuck. I found out through Lynda today. I remember thw old days when Johnny T shirt was just getting going and Lynda worked there. I remember when lynda Richard, Larry would have their parties and everyone would get together and hang out. You both were good friends to me while I lived in Chapel Hill. I am truly saddened by this news. If you need anything let me know.

Tricia (Lee) Rosenbaum

August 20, 2014

After all these years, this news hits very hard. We send our love and prayers to Beth and the kids, and all of Chuck's family. He was THE BEST boss. Even though we were a bunch of young college students, he treated us with respect, held us to high standards, and still made work fun. Since 1988, his Yo Elf Greeting cards are still a topic of conversation and bring me to laughter...he was warped but in such a great and funny way, and at the same time, he was a deep and caring individual. We will miss him, and Chapel Hill will not be the same.

Lynda Layman Gever

August 20, 2014

God's blessings shine on the family of a great, thoughtful and kind man. My time working with Chuck will always be remembered fondly. My heart goes out to all his family and friends.

Lance and Janet Sawyers

August 20, 2014

What a terrible, terrible loss. Our deepest condolences to his family, friends and Johnny T-shirt family.

Richard Robison

August 20, 2014

I met Chuck in 1982 before he and his brother Mike had opened Johnny T-Shirt. They quickly became good friends and added much warmth to my life. I will always treasure my memories of Chuck, Johnny T-Shirt (I even proposed to my first wife there), and his family. I regret that we did not remain close over the years.

My heartfelt prayers and sympathy go out to Beth, Chance, Mike, Fran and the rest of his family and friends.

Chuck, you will be missed in the Tar Heel family

Kurt & Susan Noe

August 19, 2014

Condolences to the family and his many friends. We knew Chuck from U of I. Chuck was a unique individual – everyone's friend, unfazed by the hectic nature of college life, at ease (and making others at ease) wherever he went, and smarter than he let on to be. I remember Chuck having his picture taken with a guitar, posing as his alter ego, Johnny Crankatune (which evolved into Johnny T-shirt). We had no idea that this would turn into a successful business, but we didn't have Chuck's vision and passion. He will be missed.

Dan LeTourneau

August 18, 2014

Words cannot express how sorry I was to hear of Chuck's passing.
I grew up as a close friend of Chuck's in Lincolnshire and have so many wonderful memories of times spent together. He was one of those rare individuals who was able to connect with all those he encountered in a meaningful way. He was friendly, funny, good spirited and one of those truly wonderful people that I was blessed to encounter in my life. Chuck will be sincerely missed by all. May god bless his family and friends during this time of true sorrow. Memories of Chuck will live forever in us all.

Phil Gaines

August 18, 2014

Deepest sympathy to family and friends, you are in my prayers.

Greg Christensen

August 18, 2014

Our thoughts and prayers are with Chuck's family and all those who worked with him at Johnny T. He was a wonderful person and will be missed by all those who had the pleasure of knowing Chuck as a friend and working with him in our industry.

Mary Cottingham

August 18, 2014

It was my honor to have worked with Chuck for many years. As a rep I only saw him 3-4 times a year but he was always wonderful to work with and he spoke of his family with much love and admiration. My prayers go out to his friends and family at this very sad time. His presence will be missed by many in the chapel hill community for a very long time...

Barbara Millikan

August 18, 2014

We were so sorry to hear of your loss. We enjoyed working with Chuck and send our thoughts and prayers to you and your family. Please let us know if there is anything we can do to help at this time. Isis IT staff

August 18, 2014

It was my honor to have worked with Chuck for many many years. As a rep I only saw him 3-4 times a year but he was always wonderful to work with and he spoke of his family with much love and admiration. My prayers go out to his family and his friends at this very sad time. His presence will be missed by many in the chapel hill community for a very long time.

Todd Dufford

August 18, 2014

My deepest sorrow for your loss. Chuck was a great man and he will be missed greatly.
My thoughts are with his family.

Unc Tennis

August 17, 2014

Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you.

August 17, 2014

Our deepest sympathy to you all from everyone at the club. We will miss Chuck.

Mark Schmitke

August 17, 2014

It is a pleasure to have known Chuck! I attended High School with him and was able to see him at an annual golf event which he attended a couple of years ago! His warm smile and kind words always made you feel good! Our thoughts and prayers are with his family!

August 17, 2014

Thoughts and prayers for you and may peace be with you. Sandra Pope UNC nurses 1961

Linda A Walters

August 17, 2014

Thinking of you all as well as Chase at this time... Hugs for all...

August 17, 2014

My love and thoughts are with the family. From one of the Carolina Blue nursing class of 1961.
Donna Thompson

Karen Tichy

August 16, 2014

May you all find peace during this most difficult of times. Chuck was a great, kind person and I will miss him.

Renee , Jessica

August 16, 2014

We love you all so much. We will always be here for you. Our thoughts and prays for that God will help you understand and bring you peace. Love you

Tom Adams

August 16, 2014

I will always cherish getting back in touch with Chuck five years ago for the first time since we were in junior high together. Attending a couple of UNC football games with Chuck and his family over the past three years will fondly remain with me forever.

Chuck was a great guy and I treasure having known him. May Beth, Chase, Tori, and the rest of Chuck's family be comforted in the days ahead by the loving support of all those who care for them.

Christy Daniel

August 16, 2014

I am saddened to hear of Chucks passing. Chuck and his family were all patients in the dental office I worked in for many years in Chapel Hill. He and Alice both would ask about my family each time they were in the office. It seemed as we watched each others children grow up together. He loved talking about the kids tennis. Alice, your family is in my prayers.

August 16, 2014

Chuck was always very kind and tender-hearted towards me. Even though we knew each other from business, I considered him a friend. We had many conversations about our love for our children and the joys of life.
I am so sorry to hear.
Tim Roth

Trisha Tucker Peterson

August 16, 2014

I am saddened to hear of Chuck's passing. My thoughts and prayers are with you all. I knew the family from Seawell Elementary, where Chase was in my class in K/1. My heart aches for you all!

Showing 1 - 30 of 30 results