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John passed away October 25th in his sleep, per sad news posted by his sister Julia, on his FaceBook account. He was 50. Memorial service will be Saturday, October 29, 2011 at Kirk of the Hills at 2PM.
John was very active on FB, and those of us who talked to him weekly, knew he suffered from many health issues, but was always good spirits and could bring a smile... he will be sadly missed! Godspeed.
More:
https://www.facebook.com/johnhelander
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Kathy Pittman (Patrick)
So sorry to hear of John's passing. Rest in Peace John.
Thomas Bittman
John was my best friend in junior and high school. He was a big part of my life as a teenager. We stayed in touch for a few years (he was a part of my wedding, and I went to his). But Facebook was the main way we stayed in touch. It was great to see him two years ago at the high school reunion. I'm going to miss him dearly, but he is and always will be a part of my life. I'm going to post pictures when I get a chance to go through them, but here are a few I took in 1979: https://picasaweb.google.com/117489203036244473219/TulsaSummer1979
My thoughts and prayers go to his mother, sister and brother.
Hans Pasco
I knew John from Grissom forward through Thoreau and into Memorial. We were on the same soccer team, the Cosmos, from Thoreau through Memorial. He was always kind and thoughtful throughout our school years. From graduation through our 30th reunion John and I ran into each other probably a dozen times or so. Unfortunately I only bumped into him once since then and I am only now a Three week member of FaceBook so I had not reconnected with him. He was always warm at our meetings and the conversation great. One of the things I am very grateful to him for was the fact of his kindness. At Grissom and Thoreau I was picked on. As Randy Ware tells me, "You were bullied in school, not because you were small or weak, but because of your gentle nature." John Helander was one of the people who always treated me with respect and dignity and I never got to thank him for his fair and respectful friendship. For those of you who also treated me with respect and dignity, like Tim Webster, Lloyd Ruley, Tom Bittman, Justine Eite(-5 sp), Randy Ware and many others, Thank you for your kindness. For those of you who bullied me, I forgive you.
I remember what fun John was when our team went to Dallas for a soccer tournament in the summer of 1976. And for that matter during every soccer game. Whatever he did I remember John having fun and trying his hardest. I hope that in heaven John is enjoying a good round of poker, maybe with Michael and Gabriel and Mother Teresa, enjoying maybe The worlds best cigar and single malt scotch. You are gone John, but not forgotten. And prayers said for your whole family. Peace.
Cheryl Fields (Crawford)
John and I shared a lot in the time we reconnected from the high school reunion; the following is a poem in his honor, giving those of us left behind "Life Lessons"~ You will always have a spot in my heart....
Take Time to Smoke A Cigar
Jack Spencer -Class Of 1980
A tribute page for John can be found at: www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi
If anyone has cemetary information, please send it to me at: jack31961@yahoo.com so I can add it. God keep you John.