Honoring Jim Helt

Tribute to an EXTRAordinary life….

I first met Jim 11 years ago when he flew to Albany NY from his home in San Francisco to attend a veteran healing retreat. I felt an immediate connection to Jim, and within 10 minutes of our meeting he was wearing my belt to keep his pants up because he'd left his at the security check point in SF. And within the first 24 hours I recognized him as a “keeper”, someone I always wanted to have in my life. 

So much about Jim intrigued me…… His slow peaceful mannerisms and effortless belly laugh, his sharing of early personal struggles to reconcile being born gay and Catholic in the 1940's, his 8 years of service as an Officer in the US Air Force, his activism in the peace movement after returning from Viet Nam, his time as a Theology student and Franciscan brother, his extensive travels around the world with a sleeping bag and back pack living and working among the poor, his life long commitment to living simply, while making a living as a CPA, and how, when he felt happy he’d play music and dance…alone in the living room of his little bungalow.

Jim modeled humility, with no hint of arrogance or self serving motives. His deep appreciation for all people was palpable. He had a magical knack of making connections and engaging people in a way that left them believing they were the most important person on the planet. What fun it was to watch him spread his infectious and extraordinary kindness in the most ordinary places. 

Jim had a deep love for Viet Nam. He spoke openly of his sadness about the atrocities inflicted on that country and it’s people during the American war, of which he was a part. He returned to Viet Nam four times since the war and has many dear friends there, men women and children whom he considered his family. Through the years he’s made a wholehearted investment in those relationships. He's also given consistently and generously to assist those in need, especially to the children. 

Several years ago Jim began to speak with me about his wishes that after his death his entire estate go to help the less fortunate in Viet Nam and he asked that I oversee that process. At first I responded with “of course I will” but found myself not wanting to really talk about it, mainly because that would mean facing the reality of his passing. But as Jim’s health began to decline, I knew it was time to honor his wishes and dive into the deep and often difficult discussions about his desires for the disbursement of his life savings in the country and among the people he so loved.

I was in awe of the way Jim spoke openly and optimistically about his impending death, and how he moved through the process with grace and ease. I remember asking if he was afraid to die and he literally laughed out loud and said “Oh no, no, no I actually feel joy about it”. And as unusual as that concept felt to me, I believed him! He was at peace with the way he'd lived and loved!

In his final months, Jim declined medical treatment. He felt he'd lived long enough and wanted. his resoucres to help improve the quality of lives of people in Viet Nam rather then to keep him alive. 

Jim passed on Dec. 22, 2016 at the age of 76. Since that time a portion of his gifts have helped finance a water system of a hill tribe village, providing clean water for daily use. He also provided food and funding for families near the city of Hue who experienced flooding due to a typhoon and scholarship money for young people to attend school. 

I'll return to Viet Nam this March to continue to help fulfill Jim's legacy that even in death EXTRAordinary Love out lives the cesation of breath. 

Deep gratitude to Jim's many friends, especially his EGG group whose friendship sustained him for many years, namely Bill, Scott, Norman and Paul, to his veteran writing group, and to Bob who made himself available for whatever Jim needed near the end, to his Vietnamese friends and their families, Song, Ha and Son, to the children of Vietnam who lit up his life. To Al a fellow veteran and spiritual seeker, and to Bill, John, CORE Vietnam, Tonya and Anh for their partnership in helping to fulfill Jim's deepest wishes through the James P Helt Fund.

And thank you Jim, for modeling extraordinary Love!