James Darwin Helvey, 91, passed away Wednesday, Sept. 11, 2019, in Graham. Funeral services will be Saturday, Sept. 14, at 2 p.m. at First Baptist Church in Graham; interment at Cottonwood Cemetery in Bryson. The family will have visitation at McMillan-Satterwhite Funeral Home Friday evening Sept. 13, from 6-7 p.m.

He was born Nov. 22, 1927 to Carmen and Floyd Helvey in Young County and lived the majority of his life in Graham. He proudly served in the United States Navy from 1945-1947 as a motor-machinist mate, Fireman First Class, on the U.S.S. Pilotfish. He then worked for E and H Drilling Company as a driller from 1954-1966. He also worked at Graham Magnetics from 1966-1986 as an assistant plant manager. After moving to Fort Worth, he worked at the Fort Worth Club as a security officer until 1990. He had a landscaping business until he moved back to Graham in 1999.

He is survived by his wife, Pat Helvey, of Graham, one son, James Willard “Jim” Helvey and wife Sandra, of Graham, one sister, Boots Davis, of Olney, step-daughters Stacy Lewis and husband PWee of Graham, Connie Wright and husband Don, of Harrison, Mich., Donna Stott and husband Gary, of Lake Worth, Julia Hopkins and husband Danny, of Archer City; grandchildren: Misty Little and husband Shawn of Lipan, Tanya Bell and husband Guy, of Graham, Wade Edwards and wife Keya, of Graham, Sadie Farr and husband Jake of San Angelo, Ben Lewis and wife Kris of Brenham, Seth Lewis and wife Kelsey, of Kyle, and Chaney Landgraf and fiancé Marissa, of Los Colinas, Larry Tadlock, of Wichita Falls, Kyle Neckel and wife Michelle, of Colorado Springs, Colo., Shawn Neckel and wife Cheryl, of Sanford, Mich., Shannon Sosa and husband Daniel, of Austin, Becky Martin, of Wichita Falls, Lindsey Page and husband TJ, of Austin, and Caleb Hopkins and wife Mary, of Wichita Falls, great-grandchildren Kaylee, Lynsey, Jayden, Mariah, Preslee, Charli, Wyatt, Wynn, Toby, Emily, Nash, Millie, Seth, Ivy, Olive, Kassidy, Kamdyn, Kennedy, Hayden, Mason and Brodie. He also leaves behind a host of extended family and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents Floyd and Carmen, wives Nina Farabee and Lou Hancock-Helvey, brother Willard Helvey, four sisters, Virginia Kelley, Bobbye Wickham, Marguerette Helvey, and Wilma Donahoe-Jones, a step-daughter, Lisa Hancock Edwards.

Papa will be remembered as a kind, caring, and loving soul who enjoyed the outdoors, hunting, fishing, skeet shooting, playing cards, and a good game of 42. His bright, blue eyes and loving words will stay in the hearts of all who loved and cherished him.