Former Concord Mayor, Retired U.S. Army Major General Dan Helix Has Passed Away

Mayor Dan Helix at the Korean War Memorial in Concord, photo credit: Radar/Claycord.com

Mayor Dan Helix, standing beside Reporter Steve Davis from Channel 7 News during Concord BART opening ceremonies, 1972, photo credit: Radar/Claycord.com

Former Concord Mayor, Korean War Veteran and Retired U.S. Army Major General Dan Helix has passed away.

Helix was 91 years old.

“Dan Helix dedicated his life to serving his country and his community. As a member of the United States Army and in his role as a councilmember and mayor of Concord, putting others first was Dan’s passion,” Congressman Mark DeSaulnier said. “The impact he made on the city of Concord continues to be felt today and will serve the city’s residents for years to come. Our thoughts are with Major General Helix’s family as we celebrate and remember his legacy of service,” DeSaulnier said.

A Korean War veteran, Helix earned the Army Distinguished Service Medal, Silver Star, Legion of Merit, Bronze Star with “V” Device, and Purple Heart with Oak Leaf Cluster among other commendations during a distinguished 41-year career spent both in active duty and with the Army Reserve. He is also a member of the U.S. Army’s Infantry Hall of Fame. Helix was first elected to the Concord City Council in 1968, serving for eight years. He returned to the Council in 2010 as an appointee and was elected to one final term in 2012.

DAN HELIX – OBITUARY (below)….

Born: August 24, 1929—Died: March 9, 2021          Age 91

He has gone to live with his Heavenly Father.

Daniel C. Helix retired as a major general in the U. S. Army in 1989. He served 41 years on both active duty and the Army Reserve, enlisting as a private on January 12, 1948. He was commissioned as a second lieutenant of Infantry in 1951, and served in combat as a platoon leader and company commander of a rifle company with the 45th Infantry Division during the Korean War. His final military assignment was as Deputy Commanding General, Sixth U.S. Army, at the Presidio of San Francisco.

He earned a bachelor’s degree in History from the University of California at Berkeley, and a master’s degree in Political Science at San Francisco State University, both degrees with honors. He is a graduate of the Army’s Command and General Staff College, the War College, and was a Senior Fellow at the JFK Center for International Affairs at Harvard University.

General Helix’s decorations and awards include: The Combat Infantryman’s Badge, Army Distinguished Service Medal, Silver Star, Legion of Merit, Bronze Star with “V” device for valor, Purple Heart with oak leaf cluster, Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, plus numerous other awards.

He was a member of the U.S. Army’s Infantry Hall of Fame located at Fort Benning, Georgia, authorized to wear the Secretary of Defense Identification Badge, and the parachutist badge, which he earned at the age of 50.

General Helix served as Mayor and Councilman of the City of Concord, CA from 1968 to 1976, and a Director of the Bay Area Rapid Transit District. He was appointed to fill a vacancy on the Concord City Council in 2010, and re-elected for a four-year term in 2012. He was again elected as Mayor by his colleagues and remained on the City Council until December, 2016. He served as Chair of the Citizen’s Advisory Committee for the former Concord Naval Weapons Station.

Helix was a published author of an award-winning novel, The Kochi Maru Affair, set in the Korean War era. He has several published articles and short stories, primarily in military journals. He has a Lifetime teaching credential for secondary education.

Helix was a Life Member of the VFW, Post 1525, past president of the Rotary Club of Concord and the Mt. Diablo Hospital Foundation, now John Muir Health, Concord Campus. He served on the Board of the All Wars Memorial Foundation, the Korean War Memorial Foundation, and is active in numerous philanthropic and military organizations. He served on a U.S. Congressional Commission studying changes in the Department of the Army, and Governor Schwarzenegger’s Military Base Retention Commission.

He met and married the love of his life, Mary Lou Hiott of South Carolina, in 1953. They were married for 67 years. They have two children, Daniel E. Helix and Marilu Elliot. They had five grandchildren, Adam Elliot, now deceased, Michael Orlinsky, Zachary Daniel Helix, Spencer Helix, and Candace Drake. They have two great granddaughters, Emmerson Drake and Rylee Drake.

His love of service to his community was manifested by the many successful achievements he accomplished. He will be sorely missed by his family and friends.  Dan’s service will be held in June.  Details for the event will be shared once they have been confirmed.