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In the wee hours of July 3rd, 2024, our husband, brother, father, grandfather, and great grandfather, John Avery Helderman Jr. of Mocksville, took the hands of Jesus and his youngest daughter, Jill Marie, and slipped peacefully into his Savior’s holy presence.

John was born on Oct. 3, 1940 in Winston-Salem, NC to John Avery Helderman Sr. and Frances Pegram Helderman. In his life, John graduated with a BS in Business Administration from Guilford College. He was also very adventurous and learned to fly a plane, drove a stock car at Bowman Gray Stadium, and rode motorcycles as part of a group of young men in the late 60s, early 70s. John’s mother often commented that he had “gasoline in his blood” due to these daring activities.  John’s career of 30 years though was with Bantam, Dell, Doubleday books where he drove over 4.5 million miles all over the Southeastern US to bookstores helping them order books for their store. He was so successful at his job that he won Man of the Year and was awarded a trip to the Bahamas.

John was a 49-year member of the Advance Masonic Lodge and also served as a volunteer firefighter for Cornatzer-Dulin Fire Department in the 70s and 80s and in the early 2000s for Fork Fire Department.

John was of the Methodist faith and was a past member of Dulin Methodist Church and was a current member of Cornatzer Methodist Church where he was active until his health started failing.

John loved to travel and in the 70s and 80s he would load his children and then wife, Ruth, into the truck and tow a pull behind camper to many states to show his family important, historical landmarks. His children always appreciated reading history books and seeing pictures of places he had taken them to. They also went 2 weeks every fall and spring down to Ocracoke to fish where John would feed his family blues and whiting many meals.

Later in life with his beloved wife of 32 years, Becki, John would drive their motorhome and travel all over the US, especially loving the areas out west and up north.  They went on many adventures “chasing lighthouses” and enjoyed seeing in person many along the east coast.

Once traveling longer distances became difficult, John enjoyed spending time as a race official at Bowman Gray Stadium where he waved the flags in the North turn. He befriended many of the drivers there that he had cheered on and watched race there over many years of being a loyal every Saturday night fan.  He often recalled being present for the first ever races at Bowman Gray Stadium. John also loved watching NASCAR racing on television and attended races in many areas of the Southeast including the Daytona 500 multiple times.

John was preceded in death by: his youngest beloved daughter, Jill Marie, in 1988; his father in 1995; and his mother in 2012.

He leaves to cherish his memory: his beloved wife of 32 years, Sarah “Becki” Reid Helderman; his sister, Rebecca Boner; his daughter Janet H. Ball (Brad); his son, John Richard Helderman (Jessica); stepdaughter, Jenni Sidden (Justin); grandchildren, Brittannie Jill Lombardo (Bobby), Brooke Marie Albrecht (Travis) Aisulu Skye Ball (Chase), Jacob Winston Helderman, Luke Marshall Helderman, Audrey Marie Helderman, and David Grant Helderman; great-granddaughter, Laikyn Ellarose Albrecht; and nephew, Michael Williams (Kristal) and family. He also leaves behind many extended relatives and dear friends as well as his beloved and faithful puppy companion, Rusty.

A memorial service for John will be held on Sunday, Aug. 18 at 2 p.m. at Cornatzer Methodist Church with the Rev. Shane Young officiating. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service. Masonic Rites will be performed after the service.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Cornatzer Methodist Church, the Jill Marie Helderman memorial scholarship fund at N.C. School of the Arts in Winston-Salem, or to one of John’s favorite organizations he loyally supported, FLAG, that teaches school children about the USA flag’s history and importance.