Ronnie J Helms

Ronald (Ronnie) Joe Helms of Burnet died on December 13, 2022. Born September 14, 1942, in Lawrence, KS, he was the third son born to Blanche and Gene Helms. He was preceded in death by his parents, and brothers, Bob Helms and Jack Helms. He is survived by his wife of 32+ years, Donna Helms, and children, Kim Benestante of Burnet and Kevin McKinnon of Houston, and grandchildren Brigit Benestante of Baltimore, MD, and Connor McKinnon of Houston. Although they are not his biological children and grandchildren, the term 'step' never entered Ronnie's mind as he loved and considered them as 100% his own.

He is also survived by two daughters from a previous marriage, Tonya Dulany Barnett of Buchanan Dam and Tina Dulany of Burnet... and grandchildren Tiffany Gustamantes, Sarah Barnett, Garrett Castillo, Skylar Castillo, Marissa Camarillo and Mateo Camarillo... and great-grandchildren Gus and Ty Gustamantes. It is sad, but due to circumstances throughout the years, there was not a close bond or relationship within their family and Ronnie was deprived of having much of a relationship with his daughters and their children.

Ronnie is also survived by sisters-in-law Nell Foster and Anne Bostick of Stephenville and brothers-in-law Charles Roberson and Clayton Roberson and wife Doris of Stephenville, and Roger Dean Roberson of Fort Worth. He was preceded in death by in-laws Donald Roberson and wife Carolyn, Lyndol Roberson and wife Frances, Charlene Roberson, LaRue Roberson, Patsy Roberson Wright and husband Jim, Mary Kelsey and husband Jim, and Daphene Roberson Tate and husband John. He is also survived by several nieces and nephews.

Ronnie was a 1960 graduate of Burnet High School where he participated in football, basketball, baseball, and track. He enrolled at Angelo State College but after attending only one semester, he decided to join the U. S. Navy. Ronnie served in the Navy from 1961 to 1965. He was stationed at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba during the Cuban Crisis. Following his discharge from the U. S. Navy, he worked at numerous jobs in construction and also mobile home and land sales prior to spending 12 years as a shrimper and bar owner in Louisiana.

While in Burnet to visit his parents, he met Donna (Roberson) McKinnon on Aug. 28,1989. He went back to Louisiana but after a week of marathon long-distance nightly phone calls, he sold his shrimp boat and camp and returned to Burnet on his birthday to be with "the love of his life" as he always referred to her. They were officially united in marriage on March 17, 1990.

They owned and operated Helms Small Engine Repair from 1990 until his retirement in at the end of 2007, as well as H & H Mobile Home Park which will continue to be run by Donna.

Ronnie and Donna worked side-by-side from the time he returned to Burnet. They were always together 24/7, other than when one or the other was in the hospital or rehab at various times following an accident or surgeries. Even then, they were together when it was allowed by the medical facilities.

His main love, other than for God, family, and closest friends, was for their many dogs and cats... or, as he called them, his "4-legged children" or " the kids." One of his final wishes is that part of his cremains be interred in their large pet cemetery to be with their many beloved pets.

Per his wishes, there will be no public memorial service following cremation.

The family requests that in lieu of flowers, contributions be made to the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) Foundation, American Lung Association, St. Jude's Children's Hospital, American Cancer Society, or any charity of choice.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.ClementsWilcoxBurnet.com for the Helms family.