Dick Belt (Idalou)
Richard “Dick” Mack Belt passed away Tuesday, November 30, 2021. Dick was born on July 2, 1936, in Ackerly, Texas to Jim C. Belt and Nevada Armstrong.
Dick graduated from Texas Tech with a B.S. of Education in 1959. After graduation, he started his career in teaching and coaching in Welch, Texas in 1959. Dick married Murlene Holley on October 14, 1960, in Welch. Murlene and Dick moved to Idalou in 1962 where he coached, taught, and was the Idalou Jr. High principal for 34 years. He received his Masters of Education in History from Southwestern State in Weatherford, Oklahoma in 1969. Upon his retirement in 1994, the Idalou ISD honored his outstanding service dedicating the science building in his name, The Richard Belt Science Center.
After retirement, he worked for the Region Service Center for 3 years. He was also the interim principal at Floydada ISD in 2003.
Throughout Dicks life he served on various boards and committees such as the Lubbock County Appraisal Board, served on various committees within the Idalou Methodist Church where he was active for 59 years. He also served as chairman of the Lord’s Acre. He was a member of the Texas State Teachers Association serving as the president from 1975-1977. He was awarded outstanding Principal of Texas Association of Secondary school principals. He was a member of the Idalou Masonic Lodge and was awarded the Outstanding Masters Award of Public Educator in 1986. He was also a member of the Texas Tech Century Club and Texas Tech Alumni Association. He also served on the Idalou Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors.
Anyone who knew Dick knew his deep love for the Idalou Wildcats, Red Raiders, and any and every activity that his grandkids were involved in. If you knew him, you knew the love for people that radiated from his soul.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Jimmy and Nevada Belt; and a brother, Jerry Belt.
He is survived by his wife Murlene Belt of Idalou; children, Leigh Coursey and her husband Chris of Mansfield, Kevin Belt of Lubbock, and Juli Wood and husband Jason of Levelland; grandkids, Tucker and Peyton Coursey of Mansfield and Kennedy and Carson Wood of Levelland. He also leaves behind a multitude of teachers and students that he cherished.
In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to the Idalou Methodist Church Lords Acre Fund, 518 Chestnut St., Idalou, Texas, 79329.
Visitation will be held at Idalou Methodist Church on Friday, December 3, 2021, from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. A celebration of life service will be held at Idalou Methodist Church on Saturday, December 4, 2021, at 2:00 p.m. with burial to follow at Idalou Cemetery.
