Charles E. Helderman

Chuck ran into the arms of Jesus at home on September 8th after 4 years of chronic kidney disease. He was a gifted broadcaster and communicator whose 40 year business career spanned radio and television, sports announcing, public service and kitchen designer. The last 20 years of life his passion and calling was a ministry to men. He turned from self focus to Jesus focus and started “Give Yourself Away Ministries” (GYA) in 1988. He delighted in writing study guides for books of authors he admired like Dallas Willard, Dietrich Bonhoeffer and John Stott to name just a few. His faith was routed in the bible and material distributed via seminars and books by the Institute of Basic Life Principles of which he has an extensive library from. His 1000’s of hours of recorded commercials and live radio and TV programs prepared him for teaching and leading in many churches and a San Quentin prison ministry for over 10 years. He led dozens of small groups and individual men over weeks and years using his personal GYA material to deepen their personal relationship with Jesus. His faith was always on display in retirement but never more obvious than as a Starter at TPC Sawgrass Golf Club in Ponte Vedra, FL.

He was born on May 24, 1940 in Malden, MO to Ray Helderman and Dorthy Denton Helderman but grew up in Eaton Rapids, MI. After high school he served in the US Marine Corp and was honorably discharged in 1963. He spent 4 years in Hawaii where his speaking and presentation skills were developed and would create life long opportunities in leadership roles. He psychology/political science degree was completed at Golden Gate University in San Francisco, CA.

He grew up singing and playing the trombone in church with his sister, Irma, under the proud eyes of Pastor Dottie, yes, their mom. While is Hawaii his tenor voice landed him a job as a Country radio dis jockey which then led to TV broadcaster, World Wide Wresting ring announcer in Detroit and NASCAR announcer at Spartan Motor Speedway in Lansing, MI.

His son Charles (1960) and daughter Malia (1962) were born during those years in Hawaii and lived with their mother after a divorce in 1966. He has 5 grandkids and 10 greats that live in Michigan.

He married Sally Barnett in 1976 and together they raised her daughter Kimberly Palmatier Hipp (1969) and son Robert Palmatier (1972). There are 4 grandsons, 2 granddaughter and 1 great granddaughter from 25 years to 3 months old. Their together hobbies included his singing while Sally accompanied on the piano, golf, model trains, football and NETFLIX the last few years!

Their 50 years marriage was celebrated on August 14, 2026, and in those years they lived in 7 states, traveled to 10 international countries on vacations while working then on mission trips after retirement. The priority for every move was to find a bible teaching church and be used by God. We were richly blessed over and over with wonderful opportunities to join church choirs, become Elders, lead small groups, be greeters, teachers, volunteers. Chuck’s terrific voice was part of a men’s gospel quartet for 10 years in San Francisco Bay area. God has been so very good to the broken places in our lives over many years but Chuck is more alive today than the 86 years he had on earth. He did not want anyone to waste a moment because Jesus is coming soon.

A family gravesite service at the Jacksonville National Cemetery is planned with a Celebration of Life service to be announced. In lieu of flowers memorials can go to The Church of Eleven22 at 14286 Beach Blvd, Suite 42, Jacksonville, FL 32250.