Richard Leroy Belk, of Port Lavaca, passed away peacefully on November 14, 2018, at the age of 89. Leroy was born December 28, 1928, in Petronila, Texas to Mary Pearl Bouquet Belk and William Polk Belk. His family moved to Port Lavaca shortly after Leroy’s birth and he spent the remainder of his life in Calhoun County.
He married Ella Louise Soblaskey on June 5, 1954, and they had three children: Lorna, Rebecca and Robert. From 1951 until 1953, Leroy served in the United States Army and was stationed in West Germany. After returning stateside, Leroy returned to the Port Lavaca area where he worked as a Calhoun County Deputy Sheriff, as a rural mail route delivery man, and worked in the construction industry. In 1974, Leroy entered politics by successfully running for and winning the position of Calhoun County Commissioner, Precinct 1, after which he proudly served the citizens of Precinct 1 for the next 26 years, retiring at the end of December, 2000. In retirement, Leroy enjoyed spending time with family and friends, dancing, and playing cards and dominoes. He was a lifetime member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars.
Leroy was predeceased by his parents, his wife, brother, Billy Belk, and sisters, Marie Hoover and Sybil Darnall. He is survived by his children, Lorna Belk (Jim Nolen), Becky Holland (Steve) and Bob Belk; and grandchildren Zachary Nolen, Nicholas Nolen and Brandi Holland.
Visitation will be held on Monday, November 19, from 5:00 – 7:00 PM at Richardson-Colonial Funeral Home, 123 Newlin St. in Port Lavaca. The Funeral Service will be held on Tuesday, November 20, at 10:30 AM at Richardson-Colonial Funeral Home with burial afterward at Port Lavaca Cemetery.
Honorary pallbearers will be Kenneth Finster and L.C. Gossett.
A reception will be held following the burial.
A special thanks to Lou Guice, Mary Lou Ortiz and Mary Hons for their care and support of Leroy.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Calhoun County Humane Society.
