HELMERICKS, JR., Clarence James (Jim)

The Daily Courier, Prescott, Arizona, Tuesday, April 08, 2014 C.J. (Jim) Helmericks Jr. went to be with the Lord on April 2, 2014. He was born on Nov. 26, 1923 in Ford County, Ill. to Clarence James Helmericks Sr. and Abbie Ladelle Cornelius Helmericks. After his 1941 high school graduation, he went west to Arizona and worked as a ranch hand and miner until he joined the U.S. Army Air Force during WWII and flew many missions as a B-17 tail gunner. In 1950, he graduated from the University of Arizona with a BS in mechanical engineering, pursuing a career in mechanical engineering with International Harvester and Garrett Corp. He was instrumental in the construction of Perry Park Pool in east Phoenix in the 1950s and also helped in the establishment of the Phoenix Zoo. In 1965, he purchased a steel fabrication business, which engineered, designed and fabricated heavy equipment for the Colorado mining industry. Jim conceived the idea for Purgatory Ski Area at Durango and was project engineer for the original phase. He also proposed the creation of Durango's industrial park in the 1960s. Jim served as a deacon in various Baptist churches wherever he lived. He was community minded and served several years as a volunteer patrolman for the Prescott Police department and Arizona Highway Patrol. He was a 13th generation grandson of Mayflower Colony Pilgrim Gov. William Bradford of Plymouth, Mass., and a lifetime member of the Bradford Compact and the National and Arizona Mayflower Society of Mayflower descendants. Jim and Jemmi enjoyed playing and singing Bluegrass gospel music and performed at the Sharlot Hall Museum Folk Festival in the 1980s as well as nursing homes, churches, and bluegrass festivals. Jim was an avid hunter and fisherman, RV-er and enjoyed the out-of-doors on his ranch in southwestern Colorado. He is survived by sons Jim III and wife Sharon (Jimmy IV, Joey and Jeb), Steven and wife Kathie (Liv, Hayley and Wilson); daughter Rebecca Welsome (Ben, Abbie and Daniel); stepdaughters, Ronda Bilderback (Brandon and Ryan), Christie and Steven Kaiser (Mariah and Cody) and Beth and Joe Buzzello (Alyssa). He was preceded in death by his parents; son Greg; his wife Jemmi; his sister Lily Griest; and brothers John of Colorado and Harmon (Bud) Helmericks of Alaska. Donations and memorials in lieu of flowers appreciated to Christian Academy of Prescott, 148 S. Marina St., Prescott, AZ 86303 "CAPTAP" for tuition assistance (phone 928-445-2565). Funeral service will be at Hampton Funeral Home, 240 S. Cortez St., Prescott, Ariz., Friday, April 11, 2014, with visitation between 9 and 10 a.m., funeral at 10 a.m., with interment at Phoenix National Cemetery at 2 p.m. in Cave Creek, Ariz. Please visit www.hamptonfuneralhome.com to sign Jim's guestbook. Information provided by survivors.