Obituary of Weldon Helmus

1934-2013 Weldon Helmus, 78, passed away unexpectedly while vacationing in Bonaire, Netherlands Antilles on March 3, 2013. Snorkeling in the beautiful waters with wife and friends, he succumbed to a heart attack. Weldon was born in Ridgewood, New Jersey to George and Gladys Helmus. He had an idyllic childhood growing up in the classic America small town. He ran track in high school and was the "go to for anything audio visual. His college days at Lehigh University were interrupted by a stint in the US Army, serving as a ballistic trainer. While in college he was a member of Phi Kappa Alpha and exited college as an Industrial Engineer. He married Arlene Laurant and had two daughters, Kristine and Dana. His career in logistical distribution included Warner Apparel in New York and JC Penny in South Carolina. When hired by Levi Strauss to betheir International Distribution Manager, the family moved to California. Tiring of international travel, he joined Hewlett Packard to develop their San Jose Distribution Centers With children grown, the first marriage ended. However, he loved visiting and keeping up with his grandkids, finding joy in each aspect of their growth and activities. Finding love again late in life, he married Shirley Sloan in 1997. They retired to Paradise from San Jose in 2001. Weldon and Shirley loved each other, their new town, joyously making the house their home and acquiring a wide circle of friends. Landscaping (especially building rock walls) was a passion which transformed the yard. He loved the active life, hiking, biking and kayaking. Wanting to connect and support the community he treasured; he joined and soon became president of the Paradise Fire Safe Council contributing to the wildfire safety of the community. Loving classic cars, he joined the Crusin' Classics of Paradise Car Club and served in many officer roles. He is trained to serve in the Paradise œmergency Operations Center (EOC). He also volunteered as a driver for the Simple Gesture Green Bag collection. Weldon loved sailing (learned in his teen years), owned several sailboats and spent many hours on the water. While in the Bay Area, he sailed as often as he could on San Francisco Bay, finding and making lifelong friendships with other sailors and serving as commodore of the Sea Breeze Yacht Club. Mourning his death are his wife of 15 years, Shirley, sister Diane Toothill and family, daughter Dana McComb, brother in law Mark McComb and granddaughters Haylie and Ashlynn as well as the many other friends and relatives that have come to know him well. Weldon is remembered as a leader, always smiling, full of energy and good humor, ready to assist, kind and giving and a great friend-he will be missed by all who knew him. The Memorial service will be conducted at Paradise Chapel of the Pines, 5691 Almond Street, Paradise California on March 23, 2013 at 2:00 pm. Reception to follow at the Helmus Home, 6771 Woodland Drive, Paradise. The family thanks Brusie Funeral Home for handling the details of returning Weldon to his home from Bonaire. In lieu of flowers, or anyone wishing to make a donation in his name, please consider a donation to the Paradise Fire Safe Council, in care of the Butte County Fire Safe Council, 5819 Black Olive Drive. Paradise California. 95969.