David Albert Helms

David Albert Helms passed away peacefully on Sunday, December 16, 2012, at his residence in Durham, NC. He was born on neember 9, 1948 in Charlotte, NC, the son of Robert and Hazel Helms. David is survived by his wife Cathy J. Helms of Durham, NC; sons Johneelms and wife Shahirah Mahmood of Goleta, CA, Paul Helms of Durham, NC; parents Robert Albert and Hazel Routh Helms of Charlotte, NC; brothers Jerry, and his wife Sylvia, of Charlotte, NC, and Mike, and his wife Lisa, of Scottsdale, AZ. David is also survived by several nieces and nephews. David graduated from NC State Uneersity with a BS in Physics in 1970. On January 1st, 1972, he married Cathy Kay Jones in Knotts Island, NC. He attended Duke Uneersity where he earned a PhD in Physics. Following graduation in 1977, he was awarded the Alexander von Humboldt Fellowship to continue his research in Giessen, Germany. He and his wife, Cathy, moved to Houston, TX where he held a post-doctoral appoineent at Rice Uneersity and later a position as a scientist at Texaco Research Laboratories. The family relocated to Durham, NC where he was a software engineer in the Research Trianee. David is remembered for his dedication and love for his family and friends. He took every opportunity to remind his wife and sons how much he loved them and how proud he was of their accomplishments. People who knew David and Cathy witnessed the devotion they had for each other during their 40 years of marriage. Everyone that knew David benefitted from his kind-hearted spirit and unparalleled honesty. A memorial service will be offered 7:00 PM Friday, December 21, 2012 from Hall-Wynne Funeral Service, 1113 West Main Street, Durham, NC 27701. Friends may visit from 6:00 7:00 PM prior to the service. Flowers are acceptable or memorial contributions in David's nee may be made to the Frontotemporal Lombar Degeneration Association at FTLDA, PO Box 171221, San Antonio, Texas 78217. The Helms family is under the care of Hall-Wynne Funeral Service, Durham. Online memorials, www.hallwynne.com select obituaries.