David Wayne Belew

1934 - 2004

David Wayne Belew, 70, departed this life to be with his Heavenly Father Friday, July 2, 2004, at a local hospital.

Funeral: 3:30 p.m. Wednesday at Mount Olivet Chapel. Burial: Mount Olivet Cemetery. Visitation: 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at Mount Olivet Funeral Home.

Memorials: may be made to Pompey Mountain Church, in care of Shirley Cox, Route 1, Box 146, Mullin 76864; or a local American Cancer Society Memorial Fund; or charity of choice.

David was born June 16, 1934, in Denton. When he was 6 years old he and his family settled in Fort Worth, where he attended Fort Worth public schools and graduated from Technical High School.

He was honorably discharged from the Navy Reserve after eight years of service. David worked as a ceramic tile contractor in Fort Worth and the surrounding areas for approximately 45 years. He moved to Wise county in 1974 and resided in both Boyd and Sunset. While in Boyd, David was an active member of New Hope Baptist Church and taught Sunday school there for many years before moving to Mullin, in Mills County, in 1998.

David was a member of First Baptist Church in Mullin and in 2000 became lay preacher at Pompey Mountain Church, also located in Mullin. David was a self-taught Bible scholar. He was ordained as a minister of the Gospel in 2004. He was a cowboy poet, Western artist, sculptor and leather craftsman. He loved animals, especially his horse, Sonny Boy, and his little dog, Josie Fay.

He did day work on local ranches and penned cattle for Jordan Cattle Auction in San Saba and Brownwood Cattle Auction in Brownwood.

Special thanks to Dr. Robert Ruxer, Dr. Redrow and the entire staff at Texas Oncology, Fort Worth; the 7th floor nursing staff in Harris Tower at Harris Hospital Downtown; and nurses and personnel in the Vitas Unit at Baylor All Saints Hospital. Special thanks to all of friends and family members who helped us physically, spiritually, emotionally and financially throughout David's illness.

David was preceded in death by his son, Quinn Belew, in 1997.

Survivors: Carolyn, wife of nearly 35 years; sons, Harley Belew and wife, Becky of Kerrville, Christopher Belew and wife, Teresa of Watauga; nine grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; sister, Linda Robinson and husband, Steve; brother, Michael Belew; and a niece, all of Springtown.