From Thomas S. Lowther Funeral Home & Crematory
Gary B. Helms, 88, Vero Beach
December 26, 1936 ~ June 13, 2025
Gary B. Helms of Vero Beach, Florida died on June 13, 2025. He was 88 years old.
Gary was born and raised in Union County, North Carolina. He was the son of Ethel Medlin Helms and Craven B. Helms.
Gary was a graduate of Wingate College and the University of North Carolina, and received his Master’s of Business Administration (with Distinction) from Harvard Business School.
Gary spent his entire career in the investment business. He managed a major mutual fund and the research department of legendary Loeb Rhoades in the 70s and 80s, and the endowments for the University of Chicago in the 90s. For over 30 years he was widely quoted in the financial and investment press.
In retirement, which he spent Vero Beach and Eden, UT, Gary wrote and published several novels and amused himself and others by writing songs. He involved himself in what he called “retail charities,” or smaller, local organizations where he could see the impact of his giving.
Over the years, Gary was a member of Leawood Country Club (Kansas City), Peninsula Racquet Club (Palos Verdes, CA), Houston Racquet Club, Sea Oaks Beach & Tennis Club, Saddle & Cycle Club (Chicago), and The Moorings Yacht and Country Club.
Gary will be remembered by family and friends for his wit, irreverent humor, and readiness with quotes, often from poems and the music he so loved.
Preceded in death (2006) by Libby DeBrule Helms, Gary is survived by his 3 children, Gee B. Helms of St. Petersburg, Gregory B. Helms of Santa Barbara, CA, and Gari B. Helms of Foresthill, CA, and sisters Nola McCollum and Deborah Helms.
Arrangements for a celebration of life will be announced.
Arrangements are by Thomas S. Lowther Funeral Home & Crematory, Vero Beach.
From Thomas S. Lowther Funeral Home & Crematory
Joyce Ann Stewart, 91, Vero Beach
December 22, 1933 ~ June 19, 2025
Joyce Ann Stewart, of Vero Beach, Florida, passed away on Thursday, June 19. She was 91. She is survived by her 3 children: Patta Edwards Conboy of Vero Beach, FL, Ric Edwards (Heidi) of Palm Bay, FL, and Kristi Curran (Tim) of Cleveland, OH. Her sister Patsy Jean Stover (Hillard) of Cuyahoga Falls, OH. She has 3 grandchildren: Thomas, Carly, and Kate Conboy, and two great-grandchildren, Andrew and Ryan Conboy. She was preceded in death by her loving husband, Andrew Stewart, known as “PawPaw” to her grandchildren.
Born in Price Hill, WV, Joyce Ann Stinson left home at 18 and worked various jobs in Washington DC, Honolulu, HI, and San Francisco, CA before coming to Vero Beach in 1970. She co-founded Pattric’s Pizza and worked various other jobs in Vero Beach including being the long-time receptionist at Indian River Animal Hospital, a mortgage broker for Lomas & Nettleton, a teacher’s aide at Vero Montessori, and performed child care in her home for many years.
Joyce was a beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and a friend to all who knew her. She was the “cool mom” who always had a house full of her kids and all their crazy friends, and she loved all of them as if they were her own. From her fun-loving days as “Loueffie” to hosting dinner parties with Andrew to her golden years as “Granny Goose” she lived life on her own terms, but always with plenty of love in her heart for children of all ages.
There will be a celebration of life for Joyce in October, 2025; location, date, and time TBA.
Donations can be made in her memory to VNA Hospice House of Vero Beach.
Arrangements are by Thomas S. Lowther Funeral Home & Crematory, Vero Beach.
From Thomas S. Lowther Funeral Home & Crematory
Dorothy “Dottie” Hays, 90, Alabama
May 28, 1935 ~ June 27, 2025
Dorothy “Dottie” Hays, 90 years of age, passed away peacefully on June 27th, 2025, at her home in Chelsea, Alabama.
Dottie was born in North Wildwood, New Jersey to William H. and Marie W. Andrews.
After moving to Vero Beach, Fl., she owned and operated Hays Management with her loving husband Bill Hays. While living in Vero Beach she was an organist at Saint Augustine of Canterbury Episcopal Church, a member of the Vero Beach Yacht Club, the Garden Club, and the Showcase Operetta Company. In the mid 1980’s she started accompanying the Vero Beach Theatre Guild musical productions.
She graduated from Mary Washington College, Virginia.
Dottie was a member of Saint Catherines Episcopal Church in Chelsea, Alabama.
Survivors include her children DeAnne Ownes (Greg) and Daryl Baxter; grandchildren Daniel ‘Preston’ Owens (Anna), Sonja Fancher (Michael), Alanna Owens; great grandchildren Owen Francher, Ethan Francher, and Dylan Owens; niece Lisa Scherer and nephew Mark Warren.
Dottie was predeceased by her husband William ‘Bill’ Q. Hays of Vero Beach, parents William and Marie Andrews, and her sister Gayle Warren.
A Graveside Service will be held on Saturday July 5th, 2025 at 11:00 am at Crestlawn Cemetery in Vero Beach, Florida where she will be laid to rest next to her husband Bill.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Dementia Society of America located at 188 N. Main Street Doylestown, PA 18901.
Arrangements are by Thomas S. Lowther Funeral Home and Crematory, Vero Beach.
From Thomas S. Lowther Funeral Home & Crematory
Ronald Michael Jones, 65, Florida
October 08, 1959 ~ June 23, 2025
Known as Ronnie to friends and family, and as Ron to others, he was born Ronald Michael Jones in New Orleans Louisiana on his due date of October 8th, 1959. According to his late mother, Marion Barnett Jones, this was the only occasion that Ron was on time for anything.
Ron began his employment in New Orleans as a diesel mechanic at Jefferson Diesel in 1977, a few years after the death of his father James Paul Jones, who was a co-owner/founder of Jefferson Diesel.
Ron met Kristin, his wife of 39 years, in 1984 on a racquetball court in New Orleans.
They wed in June of 1986 and moved to Florida the following summer.
Ron took a job at a machine shop in Merritt Island where he got to work on NASA’s crawler. With the exception of working as a machinist for 5 years, Ron was a diesel man.
Wanting to seek a degree in Mechanical Engineering while working full time, Ron was able to complete 2 years at Brevard Community College. Ron’s passion for smelling like diesel fuel, however, was grater than his desire to pursue an engineering degree.
Kristin and Ron were expecting their first born, in April of 1992, when the machine shop closed their doors. Ron found his next job within 2 weeks doing what he loved the most. Ron went to work at Action Diesel Injection Services Inc. in Ft Pierce. The owners Marlene Ritchings and the late Frank Ritchings adopted Ron as their son and he never left.
Ron enjoyed history, listening to classic rock and was an avid reader of several car magazines that he read cover to cover while soaking in his whirlpool tub twice a day. On weekends Ron enjoyed cheering for his Saints and LSU football teams and watching cars and trucks drive around in circles at high rates of speed and crash.
Ron is survived by his wife, Kristin and their 3 children; sons Dustin and Jamie Jones and daughter Kelsey Jones of Vero Beach who hall share their dads love of history, brothers Steve (Cheri) Jones of Kenner LA, Barry (Angela) Jones of Frankilnton LA, and Jerry Jones of Springfield MO in addition to several cousins, nieces and nephews.
Ron was predeceased by his parents Jimmy and Marion Jones, his brother Kenny Jones, his cousin Colleen Adorno, and several beloved aunts and uncles.
Our Lord and savior Jesus Christ freed Ron from his pain and suffering on June 23rd at 10:08 PM, the time of his birthdate.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Indian River County Meals on Wheels program. A Celebration of Life will be held on July 17th at Waldo’s Secret Garden.
Arrangements are by Thomas S. Lowther Funeral Home & Crematory, Vero Beach.
From Thomas S. Lowther Funeral Home & Crematory
Tamela “Tammy” Ann Myers, 60, Vero Beach
December 01, 1964 ~ June 29, 2025
Tamela “Tammy” Ann Myers, 60, of Vero Beach, Florida, passed away peacefully on June 29, 2025, after a courageous seven-year battle with dementia.
Born on December 1, 1964, in Vero Beach, Tammy was a proud lifelong resident of the community she loved so dearly. A 1982 graduate of Vero Beach High School, she went on to dedicate 25 years of service to the City of Vero Beach as a customer service representative, retiring in 2018.
Tammy’s greatest joy came from her family. She is survived by her devoted husband, Stephen T. Myers, Jr. (Steve); her daughter, Kali Royal, and son-in-law Chad Royal; her beloved granddaughter, Lila Ann Royal; and her son, Stephen T. Myers, III (Stevie). She also leaves behind her mother, Barbara Smith, and father, John Smith, along with countless cherished relatives and friends whose lives she touched with kindness, laughter, and love.
A celebration of Tammy’s life will be held on Sunday, July 6, 2025, from 1:00 to 4:00 PM at the Vero Beach Elks Lodge, 1350 26th Street, Vero Beach, FL. All family and friends are welcome to come by and help honor Tammy’s beautiful life.
No flowers, please. Instead, remember Tammy with a smile and a shared story—just as she would have wanted.
Arrangements are by Thomas S. Lowther Funeral Home & Crematory, Vero Beach.
