David R. Belcher

Mr. David “Dave” Richard Belcher, age 78, died in his Vestavia Hills home on Sunday, January 31, 2016 after an extended illness. Mr. Belcher was the owner of Royal Automotive, Inc. in Vestavia Hills, Alabama.

Dave was preceded in death by his parents, Mamie and Elmer Belcher; two sisters, Jane Ann Upchurch and Jerry Hall; and one brother, Elmer Belcher, Jr. Dave is survived by his wife, Sue Merrill Belcher; sons, David Harold Belcher (Alisa) and Gregory Lee Belcher (Leigh); one granddaughter, Merrill Grace Belcher; four grandsons, David Richard Belcher, II, Robert Brock Belcher, Gregory Gaines Belcher, and Grant Allen Belcher; and sister, Sue Bannister (Johnny).

Dave was born in Roanoke, Alabama, on April 15, 1937, and attended Roanoke Elementary and Handley High school. He graduated from Jacksonville State University where he excelled in student government and served as Treasurer and President of the Student Government Association, Chairman of the University Honor Council and selected to Who’s Who in American Colleges and Universities. He continued to support his alma mater through the universities’ foundation program. Dave received a Regular Army Commission following college and entered the US Army as a Second Lieutenant at Fort Benning, Georgia, where he completed Infantry Officers Basic training and Airborne School. He served tours of duty in Korea and South Viet Nam in the 101st Airborne Division where he was awarded two Bronze Stars. He was discharged in 1968 at the rank of Major.

Dave started his automotive career in Jacksonville, Florida and then moved his family to Huntsville, Alabama before purchasing Royal Oldsmobile Company in Vestavia in 1974. Mr. Belcher has served in leadership roles in local, state, and national automotive organizations. He served his community as a member of the Vestavia City Council, President of the Vestavia Hills Board of Education and in numerous clubs and organizations. Dave was recognized by The Vestavia Rotary Club as a Paul Harris Fellow and received the Lifetime Achievement Award from Leadership Vestavia Hills. He was a major supporter of Auburn University and The University of Alabama. He was very active in the Auburn Chapter Fellowship of Christian Athletes and co-founder of the Birmingham fund raising efforts. Dave was a member of the Vestavia Country Club where he served as President. He was a longtime supporter and board member of the John Croyle’s Big Oak Boys’ and Girls’ Ranches. Mr. Belcher recently completed an eight year appointment as a Trustee for Samford University and was elected to another term before his death. Mr. Belcher was a member of the Shades Mountain Baptist Church where he served as Deacon and chaired the Finance Committee multiple times.

A memorial service will be held at 2:00 PM on Friday, February 5, 2016 at the Shades Mountain Baptist Church, 2017 Columbiana Road, Vestavia Hills, Alabama. The family will receive friends at the church following the memorial service. In lieu of flowers, the family request donations be made to the Big Oak Ranch or Shades Mountain Baptist Church Missions.