David Lee Helms

David Lee Helms, 75, passed away on Oct. 21, 2015, in Wasilla, Alaska. He was born on July 30, 1940, in Oscuro, New Mexico, to Art and Dolly Helms.

Dave spent his childhood helping his parents work the family ranch in New Mexico. He attended school in Carrizozo, NM, graduating in 1958. In 1963, he married Carol Cope. Together they had three children, Petie, Tammy and David Dee.

In 1984, David moved to Alaska looking for work. He found a civil service job in Kodiak, where he lived and worked until 1988. He also met and married his second wife, Ruthe Chase, there. From Kodiak, he moved to Fairbanks and became a maintenance mechanic for the FAA until retirement.

David will be remembered for his kindness, his hard work, his love of old cars, and his devotion and dedication to his family.

He is survived by his brothers, Roy and Larry (Sue) Helms; his children and their spouses, Petie (Doug) Clary, Tammy (Terry Cratty) Helms, and David Dee (Alex) Helms; numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren; and his stepchildren, Deborah, Katie, Shari, John, and their children. He is preceded in death by his wife, Ruthe, his parents, Art and Dolly, and sibling June Helms.

Services will be held in Nogal, New Mexico, at the Nogal Church on Nov. 1, 2015, at 2 p.m. For those wishing to send flowers or condolences, they can be sent to Hamilton-Odell Funeral Home, 1334 Scenic Drive, Alamogordo, NM, 88310 , Phone: (575) 437-0530.