Earnest Belcher

Earnest Colby Belcher was born and raised in the small west Texas town of McCamey on April 17, 1932 to parents Gertrude Blanche Belcher and Frank D. Belcher. Colby passed away peacefully on December 9, 2017. He was the youngest of four children and always enjoyed the company of family
Visitation: Monday, December 11, 2017 6-8 pm at Lucas Funeral Home in Hurst. Funeral Service: Tuesday, December 12, 2017 at Martin United Methodist Church, Bedford. Burial: Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery will be at a later date.
Colby enjoyed his youth in McCamey and excelled in many sports throughout his time in school. Shortly after graduation he served a tour in the US Army. Upon completion of his service, he returned to Texas and attended Uvalde Junior College and Sul Ross State University where he played basketball. He completed his education at Texas Tech University.
In 1959 Colby married the love of his life Mary Carolyn. They relocated to Odessa and while she taught school, he began a long and successful career with El Paso Products Co., a petrochemical manufacturer. He and Mary enjoyed 54 years together and accomplished much during their marriage. They were able to spend their retired years enjoying their RV adventures, staying active with family, friends and their church families. Both were mainstays at each of their grandchildren’s events and supported them with a love that is reserved only for grandparents.
Colby and Mary were longtime members of both Highland United Methodist church in Odessa and once they relocated to the North Richland Hills area, William C Martin United Methodist Church in Bedford.
Colby is preceded in death by his wife Mary, his parents, and his siblings, Leon Belcher, Jack Belcher, and Lois (Tod) Witcher.
He is survived by his children and their spouses Jeff (Susan) Belcher of Colleyville, Julie (Mark) Ivie of Keller, grandchildren include Calley Mitchamore (Ross), Brett Belcher, Kyle Suratt, Kade Suratt and Kale Ivie. Left to cherish his memories are his extended family and a host of friends.
The family would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to the many caregivers at Dancing River Assisted Living, Home Instead Senior Care, Avalon Memory Care and Vitas Healthcare for their love and support for Colby over the past few months. We would like to encourage any memorial contributions be made to the Alzheimer’s Association ( www.alz.org ).