Gary Helms

Gary Helms, age 69 of Perham, MN died Tuesday, April 19, 2022, in his home under the care of Hospice of the Red River Valley and surrounded by family and friends.

Gary McLendon Helms was born in Charlotte, NC on July 16, 1952, the son of McLendon and Grace (Morris) Helms.  Gary graduated in 1970 from South Mecklenberg High School in Charlotte, NC and shortly after enlisted in the Army.  He completed his basic training at Fort Bragg, SC.  After basic training, he was stationed at Walter Reed Hospital as a Medical Records Specialist where he met and married Connie Dockins.  Shortly after they were married, they were deployed to Landstul, Germany where their daughter Angela was born.  After their honorable discharges, they made their home in Texas where their son Jeff was born.  While in Texas, Gary worked for B-Line Trucking.

In 1997, Gary moved to Perham, MN where he met and married Paula Mattfeld in 1998.  He worked for Offutt Potato Farms, Tuffy’s Pet Food and Lund Boats before deciding to go back into trucking where he worked for a few trucking companies before finding his home with Daggett Truck Line.  After twelve years and 1,544,218 miles, he retired October 10, 2019, due to a Parkinson’s diagnosis.

Through the years, Gary and Paula enjoyed many motorcycle rides with friends and was a supporter of our local Make-a-Wish Foundation.  He had a love of music that was never ending.  Gary and Paula spent a lot of time listening to music as Gary played guitar and sang.  Gary was an animal lover, but his best buddy was his dog, Jack, who demanded a lot of his time playing ball and towel.  Paula’s cooking & baking was another one of Gary’s delights. But most of all, Gary loved his family, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

Surviving Gary is his wife, Paula; his daughter, Angela (Jimmie) Roton of Little Elm, Tx; son, Jeff (Nicole) Helms of Cooper TX; grandchildren, William and Deborah Roton, Zachery and Liam Helms; great grandchildren, Emmett, Walter and Edith Roton; siblings, Cathy (Ben) Meeks, Cheri (Janet) Howell Helms, Iris Voss, and Harvey Helms; along with numerous brothers and sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews and cousins.

Preceding Gary in death were his parents Mac and Grace Helms; father and mother-in-law, Lester and Harriet Mattfeld; brother and sister-in-law, Cele and Paulette Ruiz; nephew, Thomas Bylander; and many aunts and uncles.

A Gathering of Family and Friends will be held on Saturday, May 7, from 1-4 p.m. with a time of sharing at 3:00 p.m. at Schoeneberger Funeral & Cremation Service in Perham, MN followed by military honors at 3:45 p.m.  A luncheon will be held after the services at the Silvermoon in Perham.

Schoeneberger Funeral & Cremation Service, Perham, MN (218) 346-5175 www.schoenebergerfh.com

Gary's Memorial Folder