Obituaries

Richard Thomas (R.T.) Belcher passed away on 6/26/13. Born on 8/10/27 in Shelby, NC, he was the son of the late John and Lutoria Belcher.

His funeral service will be 2:00 pm on Saturday, June 29, 2013 in the Warlick Funeral Home Chapel with Pastors Richard C. Alderman and Chris Alderman officiating. Burial will follow in Forest Lawn Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 1:00 until 1:45 pm prior to the service at the funeral home.

Packing one bag, R.T. moved to Charlotte as a teenager, avowing to make it in the “big city.” After several part-time jobs, he was hired by Republic Pictures, and the rest was history as the motion picture industry became his passion, forming his own successful film booking agency, Twin States Booking Service, now run by his elder son, Mark. R.T. formed many lasting bonds with his friends on film row, and you couldn’t have a conversation without him mentioning the film business.

Although he did not attend college, he was a big supporter of UNC Chapel Hill and nothing made him happier than to take family and friends to UNC football games year after year. Of course, the first stop was Lexington, NC, for a famous BBQ plate, which, he declared, brought the Tar Heels good luck! Even after he was unable to go to UNC games, he and his younger son, Darryl, continued trips to Lexington for BBQ.

In addition to anything related to UNC, R.T. loved golfing with his film-row buddies, riding to the mountains with his son, and collecting beautiful antiques; but, probably, one of the things he will be most remembered for was his generosity to his family, his church, his friends and strangers.

As R.T. grew older and wiser, his passion turned to Jesus Christ and his faith, which blossomed after joining Little Rock Baptist Church in Little Rock, SC. R.T. thought of the members of Little Rock as his extended family; and, during his lengthy illness, he looked forward to their constant cards filled with love and support.

R.T. is survived by his daughter, Robin and her fiancé, Ken Foster, of Huntersville; his son, Mark of Charlotte; and his son, Darryl of Lincolnton. He is also survived by his close friend, Phyllis Cook and her children, Joni and Joey Leviner. Additionally, he is survived by his remarkably dedicated nephew, Rick Belcher, and wife, Pam; and his special niece, Linda Belcher Sing, and her husband Bobby, and many other wonderful nieces and nephews. He is predeceased by 4 brothers who have already welcomed him into Heaven.

R.T.’s family wishes to thank our friends at The Brian Center, Lincolnton, for their outstanding compassion and love shown to him during his illness; and we would like to thank the Hospice and Palliative Care Lincoln County for their kindness.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Little Rock Baptist Church, P.O. Box 158, Little Rock, SC 29567.