Obituary: Former Firefighter, Veteran James Belcher

By Sherell Williams

A former Burke volunteer firefighter and veteran of the Korean War has died.

James E. Belcher, 80, died at his home on Oct. 18. A post on the Burke Volunteer Fire Department and Rescue's Facebook page announced his death to the community on Oct. 21.

Belcher served as a volunteer and member of Burke Volunteer Fire and Rescue Department Station 14 for 51 years, according to his obituary on the Everly Funeral Home website. Additionally, he served as a Fairfax County firefighter for 14 years.

Belcher is survived by his wife of 60 years, Joan Belcher; his six children, Diane Westall of Fredericksburg, Gale Jobson of Stafford, Thomas Belcher of Ellicott City, Md., Suzanne Aguero of Woodbridge, James Belcher of Sterling, Joseph Belcher of Manassas; 11 grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren; sisters and brothers, Lillian Bryan of Hemet, Calif., John Belcher of Kingston, Mass., Kay Rudack of Carver, Mass. and William Belcher of Oscala, Fla.; and many nieces and nephews.

Belcher was laid to rest Oct. 24 at Mary of Sorrows Cemetery in Fairfax Station.