Tough as nails, he was! Whenever anything needed to be done, like providing for his loving wife, Lorene and their children, Dolores, Ron, Larry and Patricia, he did it! With his talented hands, hard work, imagination and guts he survived the Dust Bowl of Oklahoma and the Depression of the 30's. Overcoming a limited education his tough-as-nails character yielded plenty to care for his family and more, enough to provide for himself to the end of his 95 years. Glen did everything from farming, window- dressing to grocery clerking to sign making to butchering and finally he found his niche as an accomplished building contractor. Always frugal, never wasteful he turned scrap wood into a cherished toy or replica of treasured objects such as cars, trucks, tractors and wagons. And, the bird houses!! The kind a crafter knew how to build to provide a safe place for a feathered family. Lorene, his loving wife of 68 years, two brothers and one sister preceded Glen in death. He is survived by his children, Dolores, Ron (Jeannie), Larry, and Pat (Bob); twelve grandchildren; 25 great-grandchildren and five great-great-grandchildren, two brothers Tom (with June) and Bob (with Maria), many nieces and nephews that he loved and enjoyed as if they were his own. Glen was "soft" when someone came to him with a need, he was generous, carefully, responsibly generous. He expected positive returns on his trust and investment of others and he was never disappointed. He loved and lived in Bakersfield from 1937 to 1994. Living at Summerhill Villa in Newhall, CA. he made many friends. One was very special to Glen, Ruth Milne who has become a cherished friend to all Glen's family. She shares in our loss and sorrow. Special thanks to Zaldy Caudor for being a friend and personal caregiver and to Vitas Healthcare who provided much needed support. We are so very grateful to the staff at Summerhill, who cared for him up to the morning he slipped into the presence of his Heavenly Father and reunited with his loving wife, parents, grandparents, brothers, sister and many, many friends. What a joy that must be to Glen who loved people. Services will be at Greenlawn Mortuary, 3700 River Blvd., Bakersfield, CA, on Friday, May 4th, at 1:00. Viewing will be 12:00-1:00 p.m. Glen Helm Dec. 17, 1911 - May 1, 2007
This obituary was originally published in the Bakersfield Californian.
