John Joseph “Jack” Helmer, our Music Man, passed away peacefully at home on March 9, 2022 at the age of 92. Jack was a quiet man and not one to brag or bring attention to himself, so we will do our best to keep this short and sweet…kind of like he was. 

Jack was born in St. Louis, Missouri on May 27, 1929 to William “Bill” and Florence Helmer. He dedicated most of his life to bringing music to the world, whether it be by playing clarinet or sax throughout his youth and in the US Army band, slappin’ that bass for years on the St. Louis jazz scene, or helping kids discover the magic of music by being “The” instrument repairman for the St. Louis City Public School System until his retirement in 1992. Music also led him to meet his bride-to-be, Barbara, when she sat in with the Bill Hulub Trio one night in 1965. Jack on bass + Barb on vocals = Happily Ever After.

The little things in life brought Jack the greatest joy: feeling the sun on his back, rescuing and repairing abandoned lawn mowers he found on the side of the road, hunting for morels in his secret spot, the thrill of a bobber disappearing beneath the water, spending time with family, working the Sunday crossword puzzle, and float trips on the Meramec River with his older brother, Bob. 

He will be remembered by family and friends not only as a beyond-loving husband, father, papaw, brother, and uncle, but also as a first-rate musician, master mechanic, exceptional carpenter, avid fisherman, US Army veteran, and all-around extraordinary man.

He will be deeply missed by his wife of nearly 55 years, Barbara, his daughter Alison (Christopher), son Matthew (Jenna), granddaughters Lily and Abby, brother-in-law Dan (Ricci), sisters-in-law, Denise and Dona, nephews Chris (Pat), Jeff (Alison), Dave, and Ben (Emilie), and niece Jamie.

At Jack’s request, there will be no funeral or memorial service. Instead, he would want loved ones to use his passing as a reminder to spend a little extra time with the important people in your life. He’d say something like, “When I go…head out, raise a glass, and laugh with the people you love.”