James R. Helt

James R. “Jim” Helt, beloved husband, father, grandfather, educator, mentor, and one of Ohio’s most influential champions of youth development, passed away peacefully surrounded by family on June 15, 2026. His life was defined by service, leadership, and an unwavering commitment to helping young people discover their potential and become future leaders.

Born and raised in Dresden, Ohio, Jim learned the values of hard work, integrity, and community service at an early age. Those values shaped a lifetime dedicated to improving the lives of others and strengthening communities across Ohio and the nation.

A proud graduate of The Ohio State University with degrees in Agricultural Education, Jim began what would become a remarkable 47-year career with Ohio State University Extension and the Ohio 4-H Youth Development Program. From his early years as a county 4-H educator to his role as Assistant Director and State 4-H Leader, Jim devoted his professional life to the mission of helping young people develop their heads, hearts, hands, and health. Throughout his distinguished career, Jim transformed opportunities for youth across Ohio. Under his leadership, Ohio 4-H membership grew from 166,000 to more than 205,000 young people. He pioneered the first urban 4-H programs in Cincinnati, helped establish innovative programs serving at-risk youth, developed volunteer training programs that prepared more than 2,100 volunteers, and championed educational opportunities that touched countless lives.

Following his retirement from Extension leadership, Jim’s commitment to youth development continued. As a development officer for The Ohio State University, he helped raise more than $30 million for scholarships, endowments, and youth programs. He played an instrumental role in the vision, fundraising, and creation of the Nationwide & Ohio Farm Bureau 4-H Center, ensuring future generations would benefit from a world-class facility dedicated to positive youth development.

Jim’s contributions earned some of the highest honors in agriculture, education, and youth development. He was inducted into the National 4-H Hall of Fame, the Ohio 4-H Hall of Fame, the Ohio State Fair Hall of Fame, and the Ohio Agricultural Hall of Fame. He also received the Distinguished Service Award from the National Association of Extension 4-H Youth Development Professionals, The Ohio State University’s Meritorious Service Award and Ed Johnson’s Golden Boot Award. Yet despite these accolades, Jim remained humble, often saying, “I believe that I can do very little, but we can do darn near anything.” For Jim, however, his greatest accomplishment was not measured in awards but in people. He believed in the potential of every young person and dedicated his life to helping them discover their strengths, pursue their dreams, and become leaders in their communities. Thousands of former 4-H members, volunteers, educators, and colleagues carry forward the lessons he taught and the example he set.

Jim faithfully attended and volunteered in many capacities at Mt Gilead First Presbyterian Church.

Jim made his home in Mount Gilead, Ohio, where he and his beloved wife, Marlene, built a life centered on family, faith, service, and friendship. Together they raised two sons, Randy and Alan, who were among his greatest sources of pride and joy. He treasured time with his family and found happiness in celebrating the accomplishments of his children, grandchildren, and the many young people he mentored throughout his life.

Jim leaves behind a lasting legacy of service, leadership, generosity, and faith in the power of young people. His influence will continue to be felt through the countless lives he touched, the programs he strengthened, the leaders he inspired, and the family he loved so deeply.

He is survived by his beloved wife, Marlene; his sons, Randy (Linda) and Alan (Lora); grandchildren, Justin, Jeffrey, Kevin, Rebecca and Andrew. He was preceded in death by his parents Richard and Margaret Helt, his brother Charles and his sisters Ruth and Virginia.

The family invites friends, colleagues, former 4-H members, and all whose lives were touched by Jim to celebrate a life that truly embodied the 4-H motto of “making the best better.”

Visitation will be Friday, June 19, 2026 at Snyder Funeral Homes, 67 North Main St., Mt. Gilead from 4PM to 7PM; a Celebration of Life service will be Saturday at the funeral home at 11:30AM with a luncheon to follow at First United Presbyterian Church, 55 N Cherry St, Mt Gilead; burial will be Monday, June 22, 2026 at Zanesville Memorial Park, 1475 Military Rd #111, Zanesville at 10:30AM.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to support Ohio 4-H youth programs, ensuring Jim’s life’s work continues to inspire future generations.

His was a life of purpose, a life of service, and a life that made the world better for countless young people.