John Walker Helms, 60, a Vietnam War veteran and former manager of construction sales for Wood Dale-based George Sollitt Construction Co., died Sunday, Sept. 26, in his Naperville home of heart failure. Born and raised in Hattiesburg, Miss., Mr. Helms was the son of a railroad conductor. “He grew up with a fascination with cars that lasted a lifetime,” said his brother Dale. “He not only knew the model and make of almost every car, particularly the classics, but could also work on them too.” Mr. Helms also was an Eagle Scout, which was a great source of pride, family members said. “He accomplished something through Scouts that most people would find a real challenge,” said his son, Wes. In 1966, Mr. Helms received a bachelor’s degree in economics from Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge and joined the Air Force a year later. He served from 1967 to 1973, with two tours in Vietnam, where he rose to the rank of captain and did photo reconnaissance work. While there he was awarded a Bronze Star. “With the aid of Korean forces, he helped build a school for Vietnamese children,” said his son. He later served in Germany in the intelligence division and received a master’s in business administration. After moving to Illinois in the early 1970s, Mr. Helms worked in marketing sales at various times for Magnavox Corp. and Motorola Inc., both in Chicago, and American Hospital Supply Corp. in Evanston. He also was employed in commercial construction sales for Morse Diesel Co. and Kajima Construction. He then was a Sollitt sales manager for northern Illinois, where he worked until last May. Mr. Helms was a member of the Union League Club of Chicago. “He did a lot of interesting things, but he really molded his life around his family,” said his son. “He was always there for us and put us first before everything else.” A Naperville resident since the late 1980s, Mr. Helms was an active member of Grace United Methodist Church of Naperville. Other survivors include two former wives, Janet Seltman and Linda Thomas; a son, James; a daughter, Rebecca Mann; and two grandchildren. Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday in Beidelman-Kunsch Funeral Home, 516 S. Washington St., Naperville. Services will be at 10 a.m. Friday in Grace United Methodist Church, 300 E. Gartner Rd.
