Ralph Bingham Helms, Jr.,

Lakeland - Ralph Bingham Helms, Jr., age 92, passed away April 22, 2022, at Good Shepherd Hospice Forsythe House in Auburndale. He was born to Ralph Bingham Helms, Sr. and Nellie Helena (McRae) Helms on June 19, 1929, in Haines City, Florida. He worked as a Design Engineer in Bartow for District One, Florida State Road Department; Engineer of Plans and Maintenance Engineer, Florida State Turnpike Authority; and in the Airport and Rail Division, District Four, FDOT, Fort Lauderdale, for a combined career of 30 years. He was a former member of Church of Christ - Fort Meade and the Elks Club of Lakeland. He enjoyed fishing and growing orchids. Ralph was preceded in death by his first wife (the mother of his children), Roxie Louise (Young) Helms, and his second wife, Linda Helms, sister Norma Yancey, son David Lee Helms, and grandson Gregory Lance Gullett. He is survived by a loving family that includes his son Ralph Richard Helms (Susan) of Lakeland, daughters Carolyn Louise Gullett of Lakeland, Marilyn Kay Bryan of Homeland, and adopted daughter Lindsay Helms of Homeland, 7 grandchildren, and 18 great grandchildren. The family will receive friends on May 12, 2022, from 5:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. at Whidden - McLean Funeral Home, Bartow. A Memorial Service will follow at 6:30 p.m. at Whidden- McLean Funeral Home. Condolences to family at www.whiddenmcleanfuneralhome.com