Dates
Major Gary D. Belcher, USAF Retired, passed away on Monday, June 2, 2025 at the age of 90.
Gary was born in Bald Knob, West Virginia to The Reverend Orville Belcher and Icidale Peters. He loved growing up in the hills and streams where he lived. He loved the simplicity of life and loved playing with his cousins and friends. He worked at several odd jobs during his teenage years. He graduated from Pineville High School in 1952. Coal mining was the primary source of income in the area and Gary worked in the coal mine for three months to help subsidize his first year in college.
Because of Gary’s great desire to travel and his fascination with airplanes, he enlisted in Air Force and in November 1955, he flew to San Antonio, Texas to enter basic training. Gary quickly reached the rank of Staff Sergeant and then was selected to attend Officer Candidate School (OCS). He completed OCS on September 22, 1961 where he received his commission as a second lieutenant. It was around this time when Gary married Betty Joan Heldman, and to this union three children were born: Gary II, Graig and Debbie Belcher. The couple divorced in 1978.
The Air Force recognized Gary’s many talents, and he rose to rank of Major where he served in the USAF Security Service, now known as the Electronic Security command. During his tenure in the military, he trained as a Russian linguist and served as Signals Intelligence Officer, an Air Intelligence Specialist and a cryptanalyst. He spent many hours in the back of a C-130 aircraft that was equipped with appropriate gear for the many reconnaissance missions that was part of his military service. Major Belcher served in Alaska, Japan, Vietnam, Germany, England and many countries where he made life-long friends with other service members. He was known as “Cougar” during his service in Vietnam.
Major Belcher served his country proudly for 22 years before his retirement in 1978. He was awarded several commendations because of his valor, most notably: the Bronze Star, the Meritorious Service medal, the Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Force Commendation Medal and the Vietnam Service medal with four bronze clusters to name a few. Even after his retirement, he stayed very active with Air Force activities for forty years.
He graduated from the University of the State of New York in September of 1979 with a Bachelor of Science degree. It was around that time that Gary met the love of his life, Mamie Lois Barnes. She had two children, Jayne and David Barnes (deceased.) They were married 41 years until her passing in 2021. Together they formed two successful companies. They owned Pro Tex, a chemical supply company. After that, they owned First Comm, Inc who specialized in selling and refurbishing Plantronics headsets for American Airlines, Southwest Airlines, USAA and other well-established companies. The couple always considered San Angelo home so this is where they decided to hang their hats after retirement. They enjoyed traveling and the simple things in life. He loved feeding the birds and feral cats and watching them from his deck.
Major Belcher was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers Danny and Max Belcher, one sister, Geraldine Harrison, his wife Mamie Lois Belcher, and son David Barnes.
He is survived by sisters Betty (Steve) Halsey, Mary Ellen Cromey; Sons Gary (Denise) Belcher, Graig (Cynthia) Belcher, daughters Debbie Belcher and Jayne Blakemore, and his beloved cat Rascal; Grandchildren include Pamela (Matt) Hoch, Rachel (Omar) Cormier, Cassie (Will) Robinson, Joey (Laura) Humphreys, Tara (Corey) Harmon, Gary (Kathy) Cole, Jennifer (Tony) Abilez, Erin (Will) Doyle and nine great grandchildren.
Major Belcher will be laid to rest with full military honors at Johnson’s Lawnhaven Memorial Gardens on Saturday, 21 JUN 2025 at 1400 hours.(2:00 PM)
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Wounded Warrior Project or the local Heritage Chapter of the Freedom Through Vigilance Association.
Family and friends may share condolences and sign the online register book at www.harper-funeralhome.com.