Brainard Johnson "BJ" Belmore

Brainard Johnson Belmore

Brainard Johnson Belmore, better known as "B.J." died peacefully at his home in Fredericksburg, Virginia, on December 24, 2009.

He was 90 years old. He was born to the late Albert Joseph and Mabel Johnson Belmore on February 21, 1919, in Schuyler, Virginia.

B.J. was predeceased by his wife of 65 years, Betty; a son, Brainard J. Belmore Jr.; and brothers, Albert Joseph Belmore Jr., Edward Arthur Belmore, Frederick Martin Belmore, Kent C. Belmore; and a sister Margaret Belmore Massie.

A retired United States Navy Commander, B.J. spent every day extremely engaged in life. A 1941 graduate of the University of Virginia, B.J. went on to join the Navy where he proudly fought in World War II, ending his tour as the Commanding Officer of the USS PC-550. Next he assumed command of the USS PGM-32 in the Pacific Theater. After the war, he served at the Pentagon then went on to become the Executive Officer of the USS Rankin. After his military retirement in 1967, he served 14 years at the Newport News Naval Shipyard. He was a member of the Military Officer's Association of America as well.

B.J. will be affectionately remembered for his outgoing personality, his love of the game of golf, his efforts to help those around him, and his innate ability to "fix" anything. He jokingly called himself "a jack of all trades, master of none." During his wonderful life in Fredericksburg, Virginia, he spent many years running the wood shop at Summer Lake, where he also got his chauffer's license to drive the community bus. After moving to Chancellor's Village more than 6 years ago, he took great pride in representing the facility as an Ambassador, helping run the eldercare program, and serving as Treasurer of the Chancellor's Village Residents Association. He was also one of the original volunteers at the Lloyd F. Moss Free Clinic. Everyone knew B.J. His kindness and commitment to his family and friends will be fondly remembered. He and Betty were long time members of Christ Episcopal Church in Spotsylvania, Virginia.

Survivors include daughters, Beebe Belmore and her husband, Winston Watt, of Warrenton, Virginia, and Suzanne Belmore and her husband, Thomas Tomzak, of Fredericksburg, Virginia; granddaughters, Briar S. Bogin and Emily Watt; a great-granddaughter, Elizabeth Blake Bogin; grandchildren Garrett Tomzak, Amanda Regas and Julia Verbeten; and great-grandchildren, Colin Tomzak, Nora Regas and Hailey Verbeten.

The family wishes to thank B.J.'s primary caregivers Rebecca Carmody and Ed Degerstrom of Comfort Keepers in Fredericksburg, Virginia, for their unwavering strength and support. In addition, he was well cared for by John, Michele, Jill, Andrea, Heatherleigh, Denise, Ella and so very many other kind people at Comfort Keepers. Their devotion to B.J. is admirable and will never be forgotten.

The family also wishes to thank Dr. Richard Ameen and his entire office staff for the countless hours of excellent medical attention he received and their rapid response to each and every need.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made to the Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society, 875 North Randolph Street, Suite 225, Arlington, VA 22203. Checks should be made payable to NMCRS (or Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society). On the memo line of the check, please write In memory of B.J. Belmore. Donations may also be made online at www.nmcrs.org.

Funeral services will be held 11 a.m. Saturday, January 2, 2010, at Christ Episcopal Church in Spotsylvania, Virginia.

Online guest book available at www.covenantfuneralservice.com.


This obituary was originally published in the Daily Progress.