Eric James Bellar

Eric James Bellar passed away on March 22, 2026, at the age of 35, surrounded by the family he loved and who loved him. A Celebration of Life will be held for Eric on Saturday, April 18, 2026 at 10 a.m. at the Ted Dickey Funeral Home in Plano, Texas.

Eric was a loving person, generous friend, and tried to make a genuine connection with every person and pet he met, including his beloved dogs Taco and Enkidu. He was always up for a discussion of politics, music, or history, where his strong convictions and generous empathy helped build community wherever he found himself.

Eric grew up in a loving and boisterous family of six in Richardson, Texas. From a young age, he was clearly an old soul. It was easy for him to engage with adults as easily as with kids. Eric attended Plano schools, graduating from Plano East Senior High School. Eric then studied art history at the University of North Texas and took culinary classes at Collin College.

Eric loved history, art, film, and philosophy, but his favorite interest was music. Eric played the guitar, trombone, piano, and more. He was songwriter, singer, and guitarist in two bands: No Outlet and Informant. With Eric serving as manager, No Outlet competed in the battle of the bands in Dallas while he was still in high school. With Informant, Eric played local spots around Denton, performed at festivals, and toured in several cities across the United States.

Eric had a passion for eating and learning to cook many forms of Asian cuisine. He was a chef at LC Kitchen in Plano where he created many Korean fusion dishes, winning praise from his many knowledgeable customers. Eric also continued to work part time with his longtime friends from the Pickled Carrot in Denton and Carrollton. He previously worked as a pitmaster for H-E-B, helping the company open its first two restaurants in Dallas-Fort Worth.

Eric is survived by his parents, Todd Bellar and Therese Haggerty Bellar, his brother Paul Bellar and sister-in-law Alexandria Cook, sister Claire Foley and brother-in-law Connor Foley, and sister Laura Mason and brother-in-law Camden Mason. Eric was a fun-loving uncle to seven nieces and nephews, and a revered nephew, cousin, and neighbor.

The family acknowledges all the people who helped Eric become the kind and generous soul he was: his grandparents, aunts and uncles, his childhood neighbor families, his band mates, and his co-worker families at the Pickled Carrot and LC Kitchen.

“To laugh often and much; to win the respect of the intelligent people and the affection of children; to earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends; to appreciate beauty; to find the beauty in others; to leave the world a bit better whether by a healthy child, a garden patch, or a redeemed social condition; to know that one life has breathed easier because you lived here. This is to have succeeded.” — Ralph Waldo Emerson

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be sent to Operation Kindness.

Listen to some of Eric’s favorite music:

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6MQTuLzznXCkZ3DlHjIZXV?si=kv2DZCoXTbGeDqsJC0R5Pw&pi=hwqxdF-ORRK8E&nd=1&dlsi=12894201ef734b2e