Roosevelt D. Helm

Roosevelt was born November 23, 1937 in Floyd VA to his parents Grady and Esbell Helm. Delane, as he was affectionally called by family, was the 4th born out of 6 to this union. Delane accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior at an early age and was baptized at the Little River Missionary Baptist Church in Floyd VA. He attended the Harris Hart School in Christiansburg VA. After school he worked with his father on the family farm picking vegetables preparing them for the market. Full of ambition he moved to Columbus Ohio in 1956 at the age of 18. He began working construction jobs with his cousin, Alton Martin. He attend Love Zion Baptist Church in Columbus OH where he served on the Usher board and sang in the Choir. This is where he met the Love of his life, Evalena. They were married in November 1957 and had five children to this union. Roosevelt, Delane, De, or Rosie were some of the names he was lovingly regarded as throughout his life; Begin working for The Tuller Corporation, Columbus, OH in 1966. This is where he perfected his trade of Underground Tank and Hydraulic lift Installation. He ventured on his own in 1985 and began Helms Maintenance, Inc. Working alongside with his family, especially with Tim and Elaine, He was able to turn this into a very successful business an acquired contracts with many top industries such as: BP Gas Station, Shell, Swifty Gas Stations, Jegs, and COTA, just to name a few. He held licenses for Certified Underground Tank and Hydraulic Lift Installation, maintained a CDL, and was a Member of Laborer International Union of North America from 1966-1985. He later retired in 1998 from the construction business. Being a successful entrepreneur and his ambition for greatness, Roosevelt, decided to turn his favorite pass time hobby "Fishing", into his next life adventure. He began Right Stuff Fishing Charters. He and his grandson, First Mate TJ (TaJuan), turned this venture into another successful business. Fishing for Walleye, Perch and Bass, "Capt Rosie" and TJ, knew Lake Erie like the back of their hands. There were many "Fish Ohio" lapel pins issued from being aboard the Right Stuff. He later met and got remarried to Lesly in 1998 and divorced in 2004. Capt. Rosie became one of the first African American Licensed Charter Boat Captain on Lake Erie. Rosie was a Licensed Coast Guard 6 passenger licensed, a member of the Lake Erie Charter Boat Association, held the ODNR Guide License, and he was a member of the Moose Lodge of Port Clinton. Roosevelt didnt know how to stop! He retired the Chartering business, then began yet another successful business venture, Right Stuff Haul_N , driving his dump truck in 2003. He contracted with Anderzack-Pitzen Construction, Inc. Metamora, Ohio, in 2005 until 2008. Finally, He retired and begin to enjoy his retirement in his 70s. Roosevelt lived his best life! Family fun on the boat, fishing, and sitting around telling jokes will forever be sketched in the hearts of his family, friends, and customers. Winter vacations in his summer home in Pine Island St. James City FL, taking the grand kids to Disney Land/ Universal Studios, Playing cards, bowling or going to the casinos, all brought him so much joy. He wouldnt allow anything to keep this Ole Tiger Down. Even when his health begin to fail, his fighting spirit continued as he put his best foot forward every day. He fought a good fight with honor and dignity. Roosevelt was preceded in death by father and mother, Grady & Esbell Helms, Brother and Sister In Laws, Theodore Lawson & Hilda Helm, Lonnie and Clare Helm, and Sister, Christine Helm. He leaves to cherish his memory his children: Timothy Helms, Elaine (Willie) Abrams, Christine Helms, Donna (Larry) Brown and Kim (Shawn) Skipper, all of Columbus Oh. His Brother and Sister-In-Law Grant & Elsie Helm, and Brother Elmer Helm, of Floyd VA. The love of his life, Evalena Helms. Grand Children: TaJuan Helms, Asiah Ferguson, Kieara (Dominick) Atkins, Simone Helms, of Columbus OH, Telon (Latika) Miller (Jacksonville, FL), Andremika Ware, James Ferguson, of Columbus Ohio and Andreana Dowdy of Atlanta GA, Great Grandchildren: Nazier Smith, Aniyah Jackson, TaJuan Helms, Jayla Helms, Alanna Atkins, and Nala Helms all of Columbus Ohio. Telon Jr &Taylor Miller of Jackson FL, Lesly Lytle Helms, Talmadge Lytle, Elyse, Tristan and Nada Lytle Springfield, OH and Many Nephews, Nieces, and Cousins. Funeral Home: Neidecker-LeVeck & Crosser Funeral Home - Port Clinton Chapel 1124 Fulton Street Port Clinton, OH US 43452