Vernon Lloyd Helmke went home to his Lord and Savior on October 24, 2021, after 90 years. He was born in 1931 in San Antonio, Texas to parents Otto Richard Alvin Helmke and Linda Leesch Helmke. Vernon graduated from Brackenridge High School where he participated in ROTC. He then attended San Antonio College and the University of Texas at Austin where he earned a Bachelor's Degree in Architecture. In his second year at UT he was named Outstanding Architecture Student and was in the Honor Fraternity. He was a founder of the Tau Kappa Epsilon fraternity chapter at UT, which he served as president. While at UT he met and married his soulmate, Jaclyn Keasler. Having participated in ROTC in college as well, Vernon became a second lieutenant in the Air Force upon graduation, serving a two-year commitment on active duty, followed by a stint in the Air Force Reserve, which he left in 1961 as a Captain. While on active duty at Lackland Air Force Base Vernon taught a night class at San Antonio College and began his architecture practice by designing the first of many churches for the Episcopal Diocese of West Texas. While at SAC he wrote an Architectural Program that was approved for transfer to senior colleges such as the University of Texas or Texas A&M. The first class of Architecture students started at SAC in September 1958. In 2009 Vernon attended the 50th anniversary celebration of the program he founded. Vernon continued working at several architectural firms, as well as continuing designing seventeen churches for the Episcopal diocese. In addition to churches, much of Vernon's professional work involved schools and senior living centers. In 1970, Vernon and two partners entered the then new self-storage industry. They designed, built, and operated seven self-storage facilities in San Antonio and South Texas, selling that chain in 1984. Vernon established his own architectural firm in 1971, AEG, Inc. In 1978 he began a second chain of self-storage facilities, Alamo Mini-Storage. In 1986 Vernon was a charter member of the Texas Mini Storage Association, a trade association serving the self-storage industry. Vernon loved boating and coastal fishing. He and Jackie owned a house at Port Aransas and had a boat, which he loved to take on fishing trips into the Gulf of Mexico. He was a long-time member of the United States Sail and Power Squadron, rising through the leadership ranks until he became a District Commander and was also awarded the honorary rank of Admiral of the Texas Navy. Vernon and Jackie loved to travel, often incorporating genealogical research. He was equally at home tramping through overgrown graveyards looking for ancestors as he was searching for family ties in Germany and Scotland. Vernon was very proud of his German and Texas heritage, and was a member of the Hermann Sons Lodge, the Sons of the Republic of Texas, and the State Association of Texas Pioneers, which he served as President. Vernon was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Jackie, his parents and his son, Stephen Helmke. He is survived by his children, Karen Helmke Rogers (Steve) and Michael Helmke (Sue), and his grandchildren, Kimberly Rogers Thompson (Kevin), Meredith Rogers, Robert Rogers (Kaitlin), Michael Helmke, Emma Helmke, Holly Helmke, and Hannah Helmke. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be sent to Alamo Colleges Foundation, attn: Vernon Helmke Memorial Fund, 2222 N. Alamo St. 1819 N. Main Ave., San Antonio, TX 78215 or at https://giving.alamo.edu/memorial (select other and type Vernon Helmke Memorial).
LIFE CELEBRATIONSUNDAY, OCTOBER 31, 2021, 1:30 P.M.PORTER LORING MORTUARYBurial to follow at Hermann Son's Cemetery.
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Hervey & Libby Cervantes
October 31, 2021
Condolences, Vernon's memory brings back many warm feelings. We are praying for you & your family in your grief.
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Porter Loring Mortuary McCullough1101 McCullough Ave., San Antonio, TX 78212
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Porter Loring Mortuary McCullough1101 McCullough Ave., San Antonio, TX 78212
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