James Weldon Belcher

 

James Weldon Belcher, 78 of Meadows of Dan, passed away at home with his wife and daughter by his side on Saturday, June 17, 2023. He is preceded in death by his daughter, Jodie Marie Belcher; parents, Thomas & Della Bolt Belcher; and siblings, Paul Belcher, Clara Puckett, and Louise Frazier.

Jim retired at the rank of Major from the Air Force after 26 years, having served in both Vietnam and Desert Storm.   Upon retiring, Jim returned home to the Blue Ridge Mountains and began his second career as a Sawmill man with the Turman companies.

Once he officially retired, he would have withered without a project.  As such, an assortment of ponds and trails and other surprises have been left as reminders that “Jim was here”. He had a habit of acquiring tractors, drinking merlot, and giving generously of his time, laughter and resources.   His greatest legacy is deep well of friends and expansive family.  Jim’s ability to make friends and keep them is evident in that even in the last weeks of his life he was still chatting with friends from each of the eight decades he spanned. 

He is survived by his wife, Mary Belcher; daughter & son-in-law, Rebecca & Benjamin Osborne; grandchildren, Oliver Osborne and Winston Osborne; sisters & brother-in-law, Connie Nester, Dorothy Cruise, and Mabel & Douglas Puckett; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Thursday, June 22, 2023 at the Maberry Funeral Home Chapel with Pastor Marcus Wood officiating and Military Honors performed by the Seymour Johnson Air Force Base. Interment will follow in the Jonathan Conner Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 1 p.m. until 3 p.m. prior to the service at the funeral home.