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In memory of

James Thomas Belcher

Visalia, CA, USA

July 7, 1931 - December 4, 2020

Jul 7, 1931 - Dec 4, 2020

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James Thomas Belcher, born in Central City, Kentucky on July 7, 1931, to Glenn and Geneva (Allen) Belcher went peacefully into the arms of his lord on December 4, 2020.
Jim was a fiercely loyal family man, basketball enthusiast, avid reader, war hero and so much more to so many. As a rebellious 19-year-old in 1950, he highlighted the cover of Life Magazine for his brazen, heroic actions in the Korean War. He rarely discussed this life-shaping moment, but many articles shared his exploits of fending off dozens of North Koreans while he bravely protected and administered aid to his fellow wounded comrades and endured the anguish of war. During his service, in the Army, he made a lasting imprint by saving lives, acting selfless and his continuous sacrifice. He was recognized by U.S. President Eisenhower, where he was awarded the Silver Star for his acts of heroism as well as being decorated with a Purple Heart.
A graduate of the University of Kentucky he majored in communications. As a young man, he enjoyed working as a disc jockey at a local radio station. As his life progressed, his career path led him to Purchasing Agent for Tulare and Santa Barbara Counties and an instructor at College of the Sequoias. Though Jim was extremely successful in his careers, he would be the first to admit that he did not live to work. His focus was on building relationships, and he prided himself on filling his life with friends and family.
He met the love of his life, Betty Ann, whom he joined in Heaven just nine months after she was laid to rest. They were married on August 8, 1954, in Corinth, Mississippi and they loved, lived, romanced, and grew together for almost seventy years.
Jim is preceded in death by beloved wife Betty Ann and granddaughter Katy Ann, his mother, father, and brother. He is survived and will be so missed by three loved children, Glenna Lee Bardone (Fred), James Thomas “Tom” Belcher Jr. (Monica) and Amy Lou McElhinny; his nine cherished grandchildren, Sarah Tyler (Jim), Simon Bardone (Shirley), Andrew Bardone, Matthew Bardone (Holly), Nicole and Joshua Belcher, Summer Bourez (Darian), Dustin McElhinny and Mary Belle McElhinny; his ten special great grandchildren along with many loved nieces and nephews. He is also survived by his younger brother, Joe Belcher and his treasured Kentucky family.
Jim counted himself most blessed during family reunions, birthdays and celebrations and nothing brought him more joy than being surrounded by his family. Fun-loving, boisterous, and full of life, he was loved by many. Soldier, Hero, Friend, Uncle, Husband, Dad, Grandad… we will all treasure our many very special memories of Santa Barbara summers, movie dates, mad money, beans and cornbread, the sweetest iced tea, going to lunch, eating salted watermelon on the back porch swing, diving for change that he would always toss in the deep end and clinging tightly to his arms as “our might oak tree” would come timbering down into the cool water of our childhood memories.
He will always be with us and because he had given his heart to and confessed his faith to our lord, we know that we will be with him again.
Nothing would make him happier than to know that we will gather in his honor. Please join us in celebrating his life and sharing memories at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, July 23, 2021, in the Chapel at Visalia Public Cemetery located at 1300 W. Goshen, Visalia CA 93291.

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