James Norman Helmer

James Norman Helmer, age 87 of Church Hill, passed away Tuesday, September 13, 2016. He was a loving and generous husband, father and grandfather. Jim grew up in Peoria, Illinois where he married, raised two children and for 35 years, traveled the roads selling wholesale hardware. After retirement, he moved to Michigan then to Tennessee and became a very accomplished wood carver. He enjoyed displaying his work at art shows and leading a carving group at the Kingsport Senior Center. His other favorite hobbies were winter vacations in Florida and attending every sport and school activity that his grandkids were involved in. Jim is survived by his devoted wife of 68 years, Ruth; daughter, Melinda of Madison, WI; son, Bradley and his wife, Deborah of Kingsport; and grandchildren, Joel and Gregory Greenya and Theresa, Lucas, and Mark Helmer, who were his pride and joy. A memorial service will be held 4 PM on Friday, Septembeer 16, 2016 at Waverly Road Presbyterian Church, Kingsport, TN. Trinity Memorial Centers is honored to be serving the family. You may visit trinitymemorialcenters.com if you wish to leave a message of condolence or to send flowers to the family.