JAMES HENRY HELM, of Lacombe, Alberta, passed away peacefully on April 1, 2023.

His spirit is carried on by his three children; Lisa, Jon (Marya), and Jeffrey (Melanie); his grandchildren Oliver and Lorraine; and all the people he has encouraged and worked with over the years. He will be missed by all who knew and loved him.

Jim was predeceased by his wife, Susan Carol Berlin, parents and two brothers; Michael Francis Helm, and John Carl Helm.

He was born on March 29, 1944, in Snohomish, Washington, the middle son of Carl Levi Helm and Frances Gertrude Micheau. He met Susan in grade school. She was born on the same day in the same hospital. He dunked her pigtails in an inkwell, and they grew up together, were high school sweethearts in Monroe, and married in 1965 while Jim was completing a Doctorate degree in Agronomy.

Jim came to Alberta in 1973 and established the first developmental research program at the Alberta Department of Agriculture. The centre of this program was moved to Lacombe, and in 1977, Susan and Jim and their three children settled there.

He built the research program from the ground up. The moving van to Alberta for the relocation of the family was two-thirds household effects, and one-third seed that would be the start of the program. That seed took root and flourished.

Dr. Helm built his research program into the Field Crop Development Centre (FCDC), which became a world class crop research center. Under Jim’s 41 year tenure, the FCDC developed 42 new cereals bred for conditions in Alberta and Western Canada, including 32 barley varieties, nine triticale varieties and one winter wheat variety.

By all accounts, Jim career had a huge impact on the agriculture industry in Alberta, Canada, and internationally, and he received many accolades over his lifetime, including; The American Society of Agronomy Distinguished Service Award, The Canadian Society of Agronomy Distinguished Agronomist Award, The Alberta Science and Technology Award for Innovation in Agricultural Science, and was inducted into the Alberta Agricultural Hall of Fame in 2002.

Just as important as his scientific accomplishments, Jim’s philanthropy has also left a legacy.  Jim not only supported a variety of causes, and was active in leadership at St. Andrews United Church in Lacombe, but he also worked together with Family and Community Support Services (FCSS) in Lacombe to create and generously fund new programs that ensured health, wellness, and opportunities for all children. His philanthropic work extended to many programs; including the Benevolent Fund, Coats for Kids, Tools for School, Shoes for School, the PASS program, Fill a Fridge, and one nearest and dearest to his heart, the Caring for Children Fund.

A Memorial Service will be held at ST. ANDREWS UNITED CHURCH, 5226-51st  Avenue, Lacombe, AB on June 4th, 2023, at 2:00 P.M.

Memorial gifts in Jim’s memory can be made to Lacombe & District Family and Community Support Services, Caring for Children Fund – 5214 50 Ave #201, Lacombe, Alberta, T4L 0B6.

 

To send a condolence, please visit www.cornerstonefuneralhome.com

• Date : 2023-04-01
• Location : Alberta