John T. Belveal

John graduated with his Masters Degree in Education in 1981 after a successful 20 year career in the USAF as an officer and fighter pilot. John served a tour in Vietnam as a forward air controller. He taught Aviation, Industrial Arts and math at Rose State College for nearly 20 years. He was passionate about all he did in life and his family and friends knew he could do anything he set his mind to.

Preceded in death by his parents, Marion J. & Myra Belveal and Frances Fay Swain, John leaves behind his wife, JoAnn Brown Belveal, daughter, Angela, and sons Shawn and Danny. He was fiercely proud of and dearly loved all of his grandchildren Damon Belveal, Kimberly Belveal, Logan Belveal, Millie Belveal, Victoria Belveal, Jonathan Davis, and Areta Ann LaDay, great grandchildren Aurianna Henning, Ryleigh Hill, Veda Belveal, Taylor Belveal, Vance Belveal and Paisley Belveal. He also fostered 78 children with JoAnn and was lovingly known to all as G-Dad.

John was generous to friends, family, and strangers alike. He was an expert marksman. He held the world speed record for model airplanes at one time. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, boating, hiking, Boy Scouts, gunsmithing, landscaping on his tractor, building his dream home, and mentoring those around him. John loved working with concrete and has created many unique structures over the years. He loved to listen to JoAnn and Angela play the piano.

John was an awesome Cub Scout Pack leader. He had yo-yo contests, pinewood derby, model sail boat races, and fruit cake sales. He mentored his grandson, Jonathan and helped him earn the Eagle Scout rank.

John learned sign language and was able to impact the community with his signing ability while teaching algebra.

After he retired from Rose State College, John experienced a coma from unknown causes. He miraculously recovered with the assistance of Traditional Chinese Medicine / acupuncture administered to him while on a ventilator in ICU by Dr. D. DeChant. Ultimately, John walked out of the hospital under his own power and continued to enjoy life for 15 more years. He didn’t really like the acupuncture treatments so he only made one follow up visit with her. However, when daughter Angela had her Traditional Chinese Medicine student clinic, John was a regular patient - he never missed a weekly appointment. It helped that we always went to lunch at Earls Barbecue after the treatment!

John was always looking to leave his world, country, and neighborhood a better place. He has planted hundreds of trees and landscaped with insight and vision. He was patriotic and loved that he was able to serve his country. Our hearts swell with pride when we remember him singing God Bless America at Shawn’s wedding reception. His strong voice and obvious love of country added a great moment in that celebration. He proudly served as a volunteer Oklahoma County Deputy Sheriff. He took great pride in his ability to safely and kindly transport mentally ill patients as a part of his duties.

The countless lives John touched were always in awe of his abilities. He will be sorely missed, but we rejoice he no longer struggles with a body that was failing him.

Public visitation will be at Memorial Park Funeral Home in Oklahoma City on Tuesday, January 12th from 2-6pm. Funeral service is set for 3 PM, Wednesday, January 13th at Memorial Park Funeral Home with burial at Fort Sill National Cemetery on Thursday, January 14th at 10 AM.

John suggests memorial donations may be made to St. Judes Hospital in Memphis, TN if desired.