Joel Clifton Helm

Joel C. Helm was born August 7, 1948, in Oklahoma City, to the late Clifton Lee & Beverly Jean (Rooffener) Helm. He died on Sunday, August 3, 2025, in Tulsa, just four days shy of his 77th birthday.

Joel, along with his parents and siblings, David & Tammy, grew up in Oklahoma City. He joined the United States Army on March 27, 1968. While serving in the Army, he spent time in Kansas, Missouri, and Germany. After being honorably discharged from the Army, he married the former Ms. Marsha Brown, eventually settling in The Village, where they raised their children, Jeremy and Morgan. Later, he and Marsha divorced, and he moved to Guthrie near his mother and sister. His final move was in 2007 to the Veterans Center in Sulphur, where he remained until his passing.

Joel was an avid gearhead. In his younger years he spent time with his friends racing on Portland Ave in Oklahoma City. He often took his son Jeremy to drag races so he could experience the excitement and the smell of fuel and rubber burning. Joel would often take his daughter Morgan to car shows, which led to her love for classic vehicles. His love for cars and motorcycles continued well into his time at Sulphur. He attended every classic car show and motorcycle club show that stopped by the Veteran center. Joel's love for cars and motorcycles was very evident by tool posters, Rat Rod models and other memorabilia that decorated his room at the center. He was also an amateur photographer. It was a rarity to find him without a camera in his hand, especially when it came to seeing hot rods, classic cars, and motorcycles.

Survivors include his daughter, Lauren Meritt; his son, Jeremy Helm; two grandchildren, Jessi Meritt and Ryan Meritt; brother David Helm; and sister, Tammy Helm.

In addition to his parents, Joel was preceded in death by the mother of his children, Marsha Brown.

Services are "Entrusted To" HALE'S Funeral Home of Sulphur, OK.

Online condolences may be offered at halesfuneralhomes.com.