Word has been received of the death of Donald Belcher, 84, of Lawton, Oklahoma.

A private family burial will be held under the direction of Lawton Ritter Gray Funeral Home.

Donald was born on October 28th, 1924 in Stickney, West Virginia to William E. and Ethel (Kincaid) Belcher. He grew up and attended school in West Virginia. After graduation he worked at a coal mine in Hazy, West Virginia before he joined the United States Army on January 22, 1951 in Buckley, West Virginia. He married Betty S. Corns, on July 14. 1956 in Hazy, West Virginia. He served tours in Korea and Vietnam. While serving, he received the following medals, the United Nations Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal with First Oak Leaf Cluster, Army Commendation Medal with First Oak Leaf Cluster, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal with Four Overseas Service Bars, Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation with Palm, Good Conduct Medal, Eighth Award, Vietnam Service Medal with Two Service Stars, Korean Service Medal with Three Service Stars. He retired after twenty six years of service on August 31, 1978 at Fort Sill, Oklahoma. He was a Baptist.

He is survived by his wife of 52 years, of the home; his sons, Donald Belcher and his wife, Paula, of Duncan, Oklahoma, Danny Belcher, of Lawton, and David Belcher, of Dallas, Texas; his daughters, Therese Jackson, of Lawton, and Robyn West and her husband, Jeff, of Sandusky, Ohio; his sister, Carrie McAlister, of Canton, Ohio; and five grandchildren and four great grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents.