George Dean Helms

George Dean Helms went to be with Jesus, his Lord on Feb. 19, just five hours after leaving port for a 15 day cruise to Hawaii. There will be a joyous Celebration of Life on May 16, at 1 p.m. The memorial/celebration will be held at Jewel Lake Church of the Nazarene at 4025 West 88th in Anchorage. There will be snacks and a time to visit old friends after the service.

George moved to Anchorage in 1984 to work for Reeve Aleutian Airways. After five years at RAA he accepted a position with Fedex and worked there until he retired in 2001.

George and his wife of 27 years, Jeannie, owned the Girdwood Griddle in Girdwood in 1985. After leaving that behind, they moved to Anchorage and owned and operated Down Home Bed and Breakfast for 11 years, then moved to the Valley and lived there until he retired.

George enjoyed every minute of his 45 years in the airline industry. Jeannie said, “I’ve never known anyone who loved going to work as much as George did every day.”

Since retirement, George and Jeannie have been “full-time RV-ers” and traveled around the country camp hosting and working at campgrounds and lodges, meeting lots of people and making many new friends. As one of the perks to one of their “workamping” jobs, they got discounted cruises, and had the opportunity to see more of our beautiful world.

George was a member of the Jewel Lake Church of the Nazarene for 14 years and the Palmer Nazarene Church for eight years. He was very active in all areas of the church and on the district level, serving on the board at Camp Maranatha. He also served several years as the director of men’s ministries for the district and traveled to many churches to encourage their men and help them organize their Promise Keepers groups. As much as George loved his work, and his family, his true passion was to serve Christ, his Lord and Master, in any way he could.

George is survived by his wife Jeannie, his three children and spouses, DeeAnn and Scott Anderson of Ramona, Calif., Joann and Bryon Glover of Walnut Creek, Calif., and John and Hope Helms of Palmdale, Calif. He is also survived by Jeannie’s son, Michael Barnes and eight grandchildren, Caroline, Kyle, Steven, and Kelly Anderson, and Adeline, Kaylee, and Sebastian Barnes and Josie Zilch. He is also survived by his constant companion, their little blue heeler whom he lovingly called Missy Sugar.

There are also many Alaska “adoptive” grandchildren. George was like a Dad and Grandpa to many, many young friends.

George has left us behind to not see his smile or hear his laughter, or hear his encouraging words while we remain here on earth, but he promised to save us a place. What a day of rejoicing that will be.

A memorial fund has been established to refurbish the RV area at Camp Maranatha, so older people can come with their RVs to help with children’s camps. Memorials may be made to the George Helms Memorial Fund and mailed to West Valley Family Church at P.O. Box 298671, Wasilla, AK 99629.