Maj.Francis Belcher - Obituary

RANCIS C. BELCHER MAJOR (RET.) US AIR FORCE On February 3, 2013 died at the Charlotte Hall Veterans Home, Charlotte Hall, MD after celebrating his 90th birthday with family and friends. Born on February 2, 1923 in Cassandra, PA, Francis’s spent his childhood traveling between military installations with his parents, M/TSgt Benjamin, USMC, and Edith (McCord) Belcher. He graduating from Calvert Hall College High School, and attended the University of Maryland for 1 year, and enlisted in the Marine Corps Reserves in 1943, rising to the rank of Technical Sergeant while serving as an Avionics Technician during the Pacific Island Campaigns of World War II. Upon returning stateside after the war, he married his high school sweetheart, Gladys I. Vantaman, and then entered the University of Maryland where he earned a Bachelor-of-Arts degree in History. In 1951, he was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Air Force. As an Intelligence Officer with the Strategic Air Command and assigned to the office of Special Investigations, his career included assignments throughout the world to include Spain, Japan and the Republic of the Philippines. In 1968 he retired as a Major and returned to the National Capitol Region where he joined the Defense Investigative Service as a Special Agent. After 20-years of distinguished service, he retired from civil service in1988. In retirement, he remained an avid golfer, a voracious reader, a devout Roman Catholic and a steadfast friend to all he met. A loving patriarch, a patriot, and selfless public servant, Francis was loved and respected by all who knew him. He will be dearly missed. He is survived by his loving wife of 66-years, Gladys I Belcher, his daughter and son-in-law Pamela and Richard Schoessler of Oxford, PA, his daughter and son-in-law, Nancy and CWO5 (Ret.) Robert Gaffney, USA, of Jonesboro, GA, and his son and daughter-in-law Col (Ret.) Michael and Susan Belcher, USMC, of Stafford, VA. He was also beloved by his six grandchildren and six great grandchildren. Family and friends are invited to Francis Life Celebration on Friday, February 22, 2013 from 9:30 - 10:30 AM at Holy Family Catholic Church, 2200 Calloway Street, Hillcrest Heights, MD 20748. Interment to follow with Military Honors at Arlington National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please give to the Wounded Warriors at WWW.operationhomefront.net/. Please leave your thoughts and memories by signing the guestbook located below.