Donald David Belcher

Don was born on December 14, 1946 in Lynwood, California, to Carl & Betty Belcher.

He graduated from South Gate High school in 1964 and was drafted into the Army in May of 1966. In the Army he was sent to Europe and went to both France and Germany.

After his time overseas he returned to California where he was married to Jennifer Johnson in May of 1968. Their only daughter Wendy soon followed in 1969.

He honorably left the military sometime around 1972.

Always the entrepreneur, Don ran his own catering truck business for many years in California. He enjoyed meeting all the different people and driving to many locations where he could both speak with them in English and Spanish, as well as make sure everybody was fed.

He liked going on adventures and greatly appreciated the outdoors. Idolizing the mountain man lifestyle, he always wanted to live naturally with the land, the animals, and the native people(s). These interests also led to his studies of human history, collecting, antiques, guns, and the researching and re-enacting of historical events.

The family went on many road trips with their truck and overhead camper, seeing the sites and traveling all over the northwest including Canada. He collected, learned, and grew from everywhere he went.

Don loved all animals and critters and wanted to take care of any strays or lost and hurt ones including wanting to bring them home, sometimes to the dismay of his wife.

In 1977 the family then packed up the camper and their belongings; and moved to Boise Idaho.  They purchased a small home, and he began to work for George Medek Inc. Don really enjoyed working there, as he always liked mechanical things, and he and George became quick friends. This job gave Don the opportunity to work with motors, steam cleaners and pressure washers, as well as do oddball tinkering. He enjoyed taking things apart and putting them back together.

Since by now his close family friends had also moved to Boise, he still was able to spend many happy times with his buddies and family in the great outdoors. (Snowmobiling, fishing, and camping were always a favorite).

In 1983 he and Jenny divorced, and he returned to the military in 1985. This time his military career led him to the Army National Guard out at Gowan Field.

He was then married to Debbie Devilliers in 1989. The family grew to include two more daughters Shanta and Cody.

As he wished all of his children to have an adventurous spirit, he continued to take them to go on camping, fishing, and road trips too in the great outdoors so his children would respect the animals, earth and the people who lived there.

He then divorced Debbie around 1993.

In addition to his work in the Army / National Guard and raising a family, he also donated much of his time to the Special Olympics. Don enjoyed seeing the smiling faces of all the children he could help. Always the big heart, he later opened his home to children in need by becoming a foster parent. Many lives came through his house that he would be able to help nurture and build a strong foundation.

Don finally retired from the military again with honors in 2004. After retirement he had more free time to go back to the things he liked to do.

He finally purchased a home in Wallace, Idaho so he could go be the mountain man that he always wanted to be. Now he finally had time for all his interests like reading, studying the different indigenous tribes and ways of the people, researching historical facts, collecting guns, antiques, and civil war memorabilia.

This free time also allowed him to work on his garden; growing flowers, herbs, berries, tending to the cherry trees, and even planting a peach tree.

We loved his stories and always learned something new about Dad with every one of them.

He was very proud of his children. He was a loving son, brother, father, uncle, grandfather, and friend. He will be greatly missed by his family and friends alike.

The family would like to thank the Cancer Doctors at Kootenai Health for all the help they provided during these tough times.

Don was preceded in death by his mother Betty.

He is survived by his father Carl Belcher, his brother Bob (Phyllis) and their children - Kevin, Cheri and Charlie; his brother Dennis, and his children - Christina, Chenoah and Caree, his sister Cyndi, and her children - Kyle and Alyssa, and then by his daughters Wendy (Robbie), Shanta (Chad), Cody and his 3 grandchildren Angelita, Nicholas, Isabella "Izzy" Faith. Not to mention the many beloved nieces and nephews.

• Final respects and viewing will be held Monday, November 16, 2020 from 11am to 1 p.m. at the Alden-Waggoner Funeral Chapel

• A Committal service with military honors will be held at the Idaho State Veterans Cemetery on Monday at 2 PM

A live stream of the service will be available via Alden–Waggoner’s Website. ( www.aldenwaggoner.com ) for those unable to make it and those unable to come due to crowd limitations at this time.

Due to the current situation in the world if you plan to attend the viewing or the committal service outside, please know that wearing a mask is required and please follow all social distancing guidelines while attending.

At this time, we will only be having a private family gathering after the above; hopefully we can have a celebration of life next year with everyone.

Because Don loved all small creatures and humanity, in his memory and in this time of need we request that in lieu of flowers, please donate to your local animal shelter, or local food bank.