Donald Lee Helm

Donald Lee Helm born August 15, 1933 went to be with his heavenly Father on June 24, at his home surrounded by his family and many friends.
Service: 12:00 p.m. Saturday at Shady Oaks Baptist Church. Burial following service at Bluebonnet Hills Memorial Park. Visitation: Friday 6-8 p.m. at Lucas Funeral Home in Hurst.
Don served 4 years in the United States Navy during the Korean War. He was stationed in Korea, Japan and the Philippines and served on the USS Poliux for 2 1/2 years. He was able to serve with his older brother E.L. Helm during part of this time.
He Married Twila Niggley, February 15, 1958 in Butler, Mo. Moving to Independence, Mo. To this union two children were born, Pamela Kaye and Jeffery Dale.
Don worked for Ford Motor Co. in Kansas City, Mo for 10 years and then the family moved to Hurst, TX in 1969.
He always said he was not a Texan but got here as fast as he could. He drove a truck for Trans Con Motor Freight and East Texas Motor Freight for several years and Coca Cola USA for 18 years. In July 1991 he received his Million Mile award for safe driving. He retired from Coke in 1995. The first day on the job for Coke he turned a trailer over in downtown Dallas. He said it was easy to put a 12ft trailer under a 10ft bridge if you lay it on its side. His boss said at his retirement party 18 years later, Helm I knew I should have fired you then.
Don gave his life to Jesus as a small child. Attended Church and Sunday School most of his life. He loved helping out at Church when his job permitted him to do so. When moving to Texas he and his family found the warmth and love at Shady Oaks Baptist Church. That has been their church home since 1969. He loved this church and the wonderful friendships that developed over the years. He was happy to serve on committees when his job made it possible. As his health declined he could still be seen passing out the worship guides at the Fellowship Hall door.
He and Twila both loved their morning coffee times with friends at McDonalds. Great place to get all of the gossip. Then if there was more to be had they loved their Sunday Evenings at Whataburger.
Don loved Golfing and woodworking and working in his yard. But the love he had for his wife Twila of 57 years and his children Pam and Jeff surpassed anything else. He loved playing golf with the best bunch of friends. Most were retired Dallas firefighters. After having quadruple bypass heart surgery in 1996 and was able to go back and play golf someone asked Twila if it made her nervous for him to play again after surgery. She said "No most of the guys are paramedics." One of them said "Sure don't worry we will drag him from hole to hole and call an ambulance after we get to the club house." Now you can’t beat friends like that. As his grandson Joey became older it was the highlight of his life to be able to play golf with him. Having lost his son Jeff at age 16 was a blow he never fully recovered from. Then his grandchildren began to arrive and that was a whole new love for him. Amber blessed him with the birth of 3 great-grandchildren Kaleb, Kelsea and Katie. He said one day to Twila that if he were to die tomorrow his life had been so complete. Also another great-grandchild Urijah Ellis came into his life from his grandson Joey and his marriage to his wife Amanda.
In 2011 his health began to decline rather rapidly but he would always try to bounce back and be able to continue doing some of the things he enjoyed most. He was able to attend all of the functions at church and of his grandchildren and great-grandchildren’s activities.
Survivors: His loving wife of 57 years Twila; daughter, Pam Tierney of Watauga TX; granddaughter, Amber Farrill and husband Chris of Keller TX; grandson, Joey Lock and wife Amanda of Saginaw TX; great-grandchildren, Kaleb Lock, Kelsea Bannin, Katie Farrill and Urijah Ellis; sister in laws, Alice Helm of Long Beach CA and Gayle Bade and husband Durward of Alpena Michigan; and many nieces, nephews and cousins, and a host of loving friends.