| |
| |
|
|
R E S O L U T I O N
|
|
|
WHEREAS, A life lived with joy and purpose drew to a close |
|
|
with the passing of Stephen C. Helbing Sr. on May 31, 2021, at the |
|
|
age of 94; and |
|
|
WHEREAS, The son of Ruby Couch Helbing and Dr. Arlington |
|
|
Helbing, Steve Helbing was born in Barnhart on February 12, 1927; |
|
|
his parents moved to San Angelo to provide him with better |
|
|
educational opportunity, and he spent happy boyhood summers on his |
|
|
maternal grandfather's ranch near Ozona; during World War II, he |
|
|
served in the U.S. Navy, and he went on to complete his bachelor's |
|
|
degree in agricultural economics at Texas A&M University; he began |
|
|
working for Hughes Tools in Jayton, and his long career in the oil |
|
|
industry later took him to New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Colorado; an |
|
|
admired entrepreneur, he served as president of the New Mexico Oil |
|
|
and Gas Association and New Mexico Landmen's Association; he |
|
|
continued the family ranching tradition and also bought a farm near |
|
|
Mertzon; and |
|
|
WHEREAS, Mr. Helbing served as a New Mexico state |
|
|
representative and Republican Party leader; active in civic life in |
|
|
Midland and Roswell, he was chair of the Roswell Salvation Army for |
|
|
many years, and he was an elder in the Presbyterian Church; he |
|
|
formed a host of lasting friendships along the way and acquired a |
|
|
large store of Aggie jokes from his network; in all his endeavors, |
|
|
he was supported by the love and encouragement of his wife of seven |
|
|
decades, Ellen Saylors Helbing; he was the proud father of four |
|
|
sons, Stephen, Scott, Ross, and Robert, who honored him on his 80th |
|
|
birthday by endowing a scholarship in agricultural economics at his |
|
|
alma mater; blessed with nine grandchildren, he was an adoring |
|
|
"Pop-Pop"; in his final years, his greatest joy was sitting on the |
|
|
porch of his farm with his wife and other family members, telling |
|
|
stories and sharing laughter and life lessons; and |
|
|
WHEREAS, Although Steve Helbing is deeply missed by those he |
|
|
left behind, they will forever cherish their memories of his |
|
|
wonderful sense of humor and steadfast devotion to his family, his |
|
|
faith, and his country; now, therefore, be it |
|
|
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 87th Texas |
|
|
Legislature, 1st Called Session, hereby pay tribute to the life of |
|
|
Stephen C. Helbing Sr. and extend sincere condolences to his |
|
|
relatives and friends; and, be it further |
|
|
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be |
|
|
prepared for his family and that when the Texas House of |
|
|
Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of Stephen C. |
|
|
Helbing Sr. |