L. Michael “Mike” Hellums was born on August 9, 1962, in Robstown, Texas, to Larry Hellums and Charlsie White. He grew up in Robstown alongside his brother, Jeff, and lived with his grandparents, Charles and Martha White, for much of his childhood. After graduating from Robstown High School, he began working at Hill Hardware.

Mike married the love of his life, Marilyn Swetlick, and together they raised their sons, Mason and Miles. Family was always important to him, and he was especially proud of his boys and the years he spent supporting them through baseball and everything they chose to pursue.

Baseball held an especially important place in his life. He spent years coaching and later traveled throughout the country supporting Mason and Miles in their own baseball journeys. He also loved football and was a longtime fan of the Houston Oilers, continuing to follow the team when they became the Tennessee Titans.

Extremely intelligent, sharp-witted, and talented in many different areas, Mike was the author of two books, Volume 1 and Volume 2 of The Adventures of Butterbean and the King, both of which are available online and at the Robstown Library. He loved to read, especially history, and had a unique gift for restoring antiques and rebuilding cars, trucks, and motorcycles.

His creativity extended to art as well. He participated in Corpus Christi’s Dancing with Dolphins public art project, creating two dolphins, “Hands on the Future” and “USS Lexington.”

Cooking was another passion. Mike was especially known for his barbecue, pork roast, and “Jelly Belly Jams.” In 2025, he won second place at Buccaneer Days for his ribs. He shared his homemade jams with family and friends throughout Texas and out of state and often prepared and delivered food to families in distress.

Raised Baptist, Mike later converted to Catholicism and became a longtime parishioner of St. Anthony Catholic Church in Violet. His faith became an important part of his life.

After his early days at Hill Hardware, he went on to build a long career at NPE, where he worked for nearly 39 years.

Mike is lovingly remembered by his wife, Marilyn; his sons, Mason and his wife, Arianna, and Miles and his wife, Avery; his brother, Jeff, and his wife, Janna; and his niece, Rachel.

His family also includes Marilyn’s siblings: John M. Swetlick and his wife, Carolyn; Susie Rothe and her husband, Louis; Sharen Starry; Carolyn Poche and her husband, Brian; and Nancy Peters and her husband, Kent.

Through Marilyn’s family, Mike was also uncle to Jenny Sue Boehme, John Swetlick, Micheal Rothe, Joan Swetlick, Sharae Wiatrek, Rick Starry, Chantel Elizondo, Adaam Poche, J’Lynn Smart, Camille Tamez, Bryn Peters, and Blake Peters, along with their spouses, children, and families.

Later in life, he had the opportunity to connect with additional members of his family in Venezuela, and those relationships became an important part of his life.

Mike will truly be missed. He will be remembered for his unwavering dedication to Marilyn, Mason, Miles, Elvera Swetlick, “Granny,” his mother-in-law, and his family and friends; for his intelligence, generosity, many talents, and hilarious jokes; and for the one-of-a-kind way he moved through life, familiarly referred to by those closest to him as “Mikey’s World.”