Douglas Gale Belcher, 1961 – 2006

Douglas Gale Belcher was born in Princeton, W.Va. He was a man of strong moral values and commitment. Doug met his wife to be, Donna, when he was in the fifth grade. Doug and Donna were married after high school and moved to New Castle, Va., in 1983, where they lived and raised their three children, Travis, Trista and Troy. Travis and his wife, Jessica and Trista and her husband, Bryan, live in New Castle; and Troy lives at home with his mother, Donna, also in New Castle.

Doug was the kind of man that never met a stranger. He was a joker and loved to pick at everyone. He was loved in all aspects of his life; from his home life and family to his friends, in his ministry and even into the work place. Doug had a way with people that was a true gift and could only have been ordained by God. Doug had a humility that was second only to his service to God.

An accomplished cabinetmaker, Doug excelled in the companies where he worked and quickly advanced to leadership positions. Even though he was promoted quickly, his gentle spirit would never allow him to offend anyone.

Doug’s ministry began long before his service in the pulpit. He was the lay leader, Sunday school superintendent, and teacher in the local church in which he served prior to becoming a Licensed Local Pastor. Doug was appointed to Andrew Chapel UMC in Buchanan, where he began to serve as a lay supply pastor in July 2005. He attended Licensing School, became a Licensed Local Pastor, and started Course of Study at Duke Divinity School in 2006. The congregation at Andrew Chapel UMC loved Doug and his family and continues to miss him.

To be with Douglas Gale Belcher was to be in the presence of Jesus Christ. We all love and miss you, Doug, with your sweet, gentle spirit that really was that of Jesus Christ.

— Danny L. Kesler