Tom Helms, affectionately known as Tommy, passed away peacefully with his family by his side on Sunday, November 14 at age 70. Tommy grew up in Eureka Springs, Ark., a little town nestled in the Ozark Mountains, with his sisters Penny and Martha Ann.
The son of Dixie and Wayne Johnson, he was a high school basketball star and as his friends have relayed, the life of the party. He went on to attend The University of Arkansas in Fayetteville where he met his first wife, Jayne. Jayne and Tommy raised their children Sara and Andy in Eureka where they spent many happy years until her passing.
Tommy moved to the Eastern Shore of Maryland in 1992. He met his wife Tanya in 2006 and they were married in September 2014. Tanya was not only his wife but also his best friend.
Tommy spent three decades working for Packaging Specialties located in Fayetteville, Ark. He considered his longtime colleagues an extended part of his family. He was loved and respected by many across his organization and across the many organizations he worked with.
An outdoorsman, Tommy loved hunting and fishing. His love of hunting began in childhood and continued throughout his life. He held an annual 3-week hunting trip affectionately known as “Deer Camp” in Arkansas with his best friends from his youth, which spanned 40 years.
Tom loved watching his son Andy, Captain of the Reel Joy, fish in many local fishing tournaments in Ocean City. He was his biggest, most supportive fan. He spent many happy days with Tanya outside by their firepit relaxing with their beloved dog, Jinx. He loved cooking for his family and friends and was an expert at smoking anything and everything. He spent many happy days cooking with his daughter, Sara.
Tom was a Christian with a love and strong faith in God. His faith was the core that guided how he lived his life. He is survived by his wife Tanya Knott Helms, his daughter Sara Helms Gray and her husband, Doug. His son Andrew Thomas Helms and his wife, Jillian; his sister Penny Pollock and her husband, Kenny; extended family members Gary and JerriAnn Gray, Joe and Helen Kus, and many other extended family members and lifetime friends.
A memorial service will be 11 a.m., Saturday, Dec. 4, 2021, at Nelson’s Chapel of the Springs in Eureka Springs, Ark. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Believe in Tomorrow-Children’s house by the Sea P.O. Box 3627, Ocean City, MD 21843 or to the Burbage Regional Cancer Care Center, 9707 Healthway Dr. Berlin, MD 21811.
Arrangements are under the direction of Nelson Funeral Service. Online condolences may be sent to the family at nelsonfuneral.com. © Nelson Funeral Service, Inc. 2021.