James Fite Helmer

(1915-2006)

It was fitting that James Fite Helmer, a longtime commercial airlines navigator who flew by the stars, passed away peacefully on a clear night with a full moon on Friday, October 6, in Reno, Nevada. Jim was born June 15, 1915 in Jackson, Tennessee. He moved to California at age of eight, with his Mother, Ione, and two sisters, Fran and Elizabeth, after his Father, Adrian traveled first by trans-continental train to locate a desirable area to raise his children. They landed in Piedmont, where Jim, Fran and Elizabeth all attended Havens Elementary School and Piedmont High School. Jim starred in track and football at Piedmont High. He was recognized by his football coach, Brick Johnson in 1980 for his football accomplishments, and was inducted into the school's Sports Hall of Fame in 2006, for breaking the school record in 1933 in the 100 yard dash in 10.0 seconds. He went on to star in track at U.C. Berkeley, where he was part of a World record breaking 440 yard relay team, only to take second place behind the University of So. Ca., which won the race. Jim stayed close to track & field well into his seventies as an official every year at the California Relays in Modesto. He also served as a Marshall in the Hawaiin Open Golf Tournament from 1988 to 1996.

Jim married Mary Wilson in 1940, and had four children, Scott, Adrianne, Jeffrey and James. Because Jim's parents took their family many times to vacation in the Santa Cruz Mountains, Jim developed a love for the area, so in 1950 he and Mary moved to Boulder Creek, Ca., and one year later moved to Ben Lomond, Ca. to raise their family. Jim's mother Ione, moved to Ben Lomond as well after her home and Antique shop were flooded on Pacific Avenue in Santa Cruz in 1955.

Jim began his career as a navigator with Pan American Airlines in 1940. His first flight to Honolulu had to ditch in the Pacific Ocean. Being a sea plane, after repairs were made and the load was lightened, Jim and the flight crew eventually took off from the water and landed successfully in Honolulu. He wrote home that all went routinely, not to worry his wife. Jim went on to fly for Trans Ocean, World, Japan, and United Air Lines on overseas routes from San Francisco to Asian countries, Pacific islands, and Alaska. He transported troops and materials in the Naval reserve during World War II and the Korean War, and completed 36 successful missions for the Air Force as part of the Military Airlift Command during the Viet Nam War. Mary, who preceded Jim in death in 1962, operated Helmer's Antiques in Ben Lomond, specializing in selling fine china, relics and furniture that Jim would ship home from the Orient.

Jim married Isabel Witky, in 1965 and she preceded in death in 1983. In 1984, he married Louise Hallsted and moved from Ben Lomond to Reno in 1986. Jim and Louise loved to travel, and would divide their time between their three homes in Honolulu, Reno and Talent, Oregon. He is survived by his wife Louise, his three children, Adrianne Johnson of Lodi Ca., Jeffrey Helmer of Corralitos, Ca., and James of Ben Lomond; eight grandchildren; Phillip Johnson of Acampo, Ca., Douglas Johnson of Stockton, Ca., Teresa Sanderson of Germantown, Tenn., Natalie Calder of Fairfax, Ca., Shelly Garcia of Kapaa, Kauai, Dylan Helmer of Santa Cruz, Ca., Kimberly Yao, of Aptos, Ca., and Christopher Helmer of Santa Rosa, Ca., and ten great grandchildren; Louise's two children, Robert Fulton and Carolyn Rutledge of Talent, Oregon; his sister, Fran Wollrab of Bend Oregon, and many nieces and nephews. Jim's son Scott also preceded him in death in 1989.

Jim led an active life right up until his last month when he hosted family and friends attending the Hot August Nights car show in Reno, and the prior year when he rode a motorized scooter around Lake Almanor with friends. He enriched his family with longtime friendships from colleagues from the airline industry and people he met from all over the world. By his wishes, there will be no formal services, but the family will hold a private celebration honoring Jim's life on October 28, in Ben Lomond. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made on behalf of James F. Helmer, to the Piedmont High School Sports Hall of Fame, 800 Magnolia Av., Piedmont, Ca. 94611.

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