In the early afternoon on December 12, 2019, Ernest John Helco, Jr. was reunited in heaven with his angel wife, Jeri and son Darin, just in time to celebrate Christmas together. John was born July 10, 1950, to Ernest John Helco and Lillian Wall in Price, Utah. He and Jeri made their home in Maeser, Utah. He leaves a legacy of hard work, toughness, grit, loyalty, integrity, and generosity.
John was married to his sweetheart on June 27, 1969. They were sealed in the Provo temple on December 12, 1992, and were reunited on this date 27 years later. They were proud parents of six children, 19 grandchildren and one great grandchild. John instilled many great qualities in his children through his example of hard work and dedication to supporting his family, and more importantly that Chevy beats Ford every time and the only tool worth buying is Snap-on!
Among many things such as beekeeping and gardening, he especially loved to cook, making probably the best roast dinner in the country. He also loved to drive fast, whether it was in a 68 Chevy Supersport, a motorcycle on a flat track, a 900 Kawasaki on a poker run, a stock car in his 50s, or a Chevy pickup on oilfield roads, the faster the better.
John lived doing what he loved, working hard in the oilfields, which he did for over 50 years. He owned several oilfield casing companies as well as a gold mining operation. He worked for many other companies as a roust-a-bout, roughneck, casing hand, oil-field consultant, welder, auto mechanic, diesel mechanic, hydraulic mechanic, and heavy equipment operator. He was a jack of all trades and a master of many, knowing something about everything. John was a natural, caring leader, and loyal to a fault. His men respected and worked hard for him. The common saying was that John Helco would give the shirt off his back to anyone in need.
He was preceded in death by his wife, son Darin Paul, brother Michael and his Father. Surviving him are his mother: Lillian; brothers: Leonard and Trent; sisters: Darlene and Kristine; children: Robert (Sarah) of Provo, James (Chelene) of Plain City, Mark (Janet) of Vernal, Dalyn (Keith) Winterton of Roosevelt and Kevin Helco of Herriman.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, December 21, 2019 at 11:00a.m. at the Maeser 2nd Ward LDS Chapel (2575 North 1500 West). A viewing for family and friends will be held Friday evening from 6-8p.m. at the Phillips Ashley Valley Funeral Home and Saturday 9:45-10:45a.m. at the church. Interment will be in the Maeser Fairview Cemetery under the direction of the Phillips Ashley Valley Funeral Home. Online condolences may be shared at
www.AshleyValleyFuneralHome.com
American Legion Service Sat, Dec 21, 2019 at 9:45 amAshley Valley Funeral Home
410 North 800 West
Vernal, UT 84078
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American Legion Service Sat, Dec 21, 2019 at 11:00 amMaeser 2nd Ward Chapel
2575 North 1500 West
Vernal, UT 84078
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American Legion Service Sat, Dec 21, 2019 at 12:30 pmMaeser 2nd Ward Chapel
2575 North 1500 West
Vernal, UT 84078
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