June 2, 1926 ~ October 7, 2011
Johnny A. “Jack” Belmear, son of John and Nellie (Schwertfeger) Belmear, was born in Pueblo, CO on June 2, 1926. After a short battle with cancer he departed this life on his family farm west of Renfrow, OK on October 7, 2011, surrounded by his loving family.
Johnny attended Rock College Grade School west of Renfrow, Oklahoma and went on to graduate from Caldwell High School in Caldwell, KS in 1945. He was drafted by the US Army near the end of his senior year, but was allowed to complete high school. He entered the military as World War II was coming to a close. He returned to Renfrow, Ok after his honorable discharge in December of 1946.
After beginning his career in farming, he married Ida Mary Wedman on November 24, 1952, in Medford, OK at St. Mary’s Catholic Church. Johnny continued farming as their family grew and they settled in Caldwell, Kansas in 1957. In addition to farming, Johnny worked for Rock Island Railroad, worked with other Caldwell friends in the home construction trade in Wichita, and later in Caldwell and Medford, OK. The Bi-State Drive In was one of the many projects that Jack worked on. There are many families in the Caldwell-Medford area who live in the “house that Jack built”. Jack and Ida Mary built a home on his family homestead in 1980 west of Renfrow, Ok. He continued farming and cut his final wheat crop this past summer.
He is survived by his wife Ida Mary, of the home, and their three children: Yvonne Torralva and her husband Carlos of Dallas, TX, Elaine Belmear of Carrollton, TX, and Bruce Belmear and wife Cindy, of Caldwell, KS. He has three grandchildren: Cassie Belmear and her fiancé Philip Mock of Tulsa, OK, Tyler Belmear of Caldwell, KS, and Josh Hunt of Peoria, IL. He was preceded in death by his parents and brothers Clinton and Billie.
Memorials may be given to the Caldwell High School Alumni Association or to the American Cancer Society.
Rosary will be held 7:00 p.m. Monday, October 10, 2011 at St. Martin of Tours Catholic Church.
Funeral Mass will be held 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, October 11, 2011 at St. Martin of Tours Catholic Church, Caldwell, Kansas.
Interment will be in the Caldwell City Cemetery, Caldwell, Kansas.
Leave Condolences
Condolences
louise mcgregor
Family and Friends - 10/09/2011
THINKING OF YOU IN THIS TRYING TIME.... GIVE IDA MARY A HUG FOR US AND WE ARE THINKING OF HER AND ALL THE FAMILY.... GARY AND LOUISE
