Vernon Stanley Helms

1919 - 2005

Vernon Stanley Helms June 12, 1919 Sept. 13, 2005 Vernon Stanley Vern Helms, 86, passed away, Tuesday, September 13, 2005 in Sandpoint, Idaho. Memorial services will be announced at a later date. Vern was born on June 12, 1919 in Taft, California to Clifford and Zula Helms. He grew up and attended schools in Maricopa, CA. He attended both Taft College and Healds Engineering College prior to moving home to help the family after his father had suffered a stroke. Vern went to work for Lockheed Aircraft in Glendale. Vern served his country as a Lieutenant in the Army Air force during World War II. He was a member of the 398th Bomb Group and navigated a B-17 bomber called the Ruptured Duck. Towards the end of the war, Vern flew in 18 bombing missions. This last mission over Germany ended World War II. Vern married Marye Alice Montgomery on January 1, 1943 in Glendale, CA. The couple made their home in Taft, where Vern went to work for Standard Oil which later became Chevron. He retired in1980 after 35 years of service as the Senior Engineering Manager in Design and Construction. Vern enjoyed traveling the country in his R.V. In 1969, the family purchased a vacation home on the ocean at Cayucos, CA. In 1987, he and Marye Alice began summering at Trailer Haven in Hope, ID. Vern was a member of the PPP (Petroleum Pioneers), Chevron Retirees, was a Sea Scout Leader, and helped build the Greenhorn Mountains Girl Scout Camp. He enjoyed fishing, duck hunting, claming, sports, and camping. He so loved his family. This kind, honorable man will be missed by all who knew him. He is survived by his loving wife of 62 years, Marye Alice Helms, Taft, CA; 2 daughters, Janet Ennis, Florence, OR and Wendy Ezell, Newport, OR; nephew, Robert (Carol) Sykes, Oakland, CA; 2 grandsons, Marc (Mary) Ennis, Roseburg, OR and Scott (Mary Carol) Ennis, Phoenix, AZ; 2 great-grandsons, Matthew and Joshua Ennis, Roseburg, OR; great-niece, Maya Sykes, Pasadena, CA; nephew, Barney Helms, Bakersfield, CA; brother, Walter Allen Helms, Harrisburg, OR. He was preceded in death by his parents; son, Montgomery Monty Lee Helms; and sister, Helen Pippin. Memorial donations may be made to the American Red Cross, P.O. Box 37243, Washington, D.C. 20013, or West Kern Oil Museum, Box 491, Taft, CA 93268. Lakeview Funeral Home in Sandpoint is handling the arrangements. Please visit Verns memorial at www.lakeviewfuneral.com and sign his online guest book. Legacy.com