In Memoriam
David Belt
TUSCON, Ariz.––David Belt, 80, former vice-president of Minnesota Conference UM Men, a conference prayer advocate, and a member of the UM Men Foundation, died March 9, 2021.
David served as prayer advocate for the Minnesota Conference since 2003; prior to that he served as vice president of Minnesota Conference UM Men.
A Life Member of UM Men, he was a legacy builder contributor since 2007, and he was elected as the Western Jurisdiction representative on the UM Men Foundation in 2017.
“David was a caring leader” said Gil Hanke, top staff executive of the General Commission on UM Men. “He always made sure each member of the staff of the commission was doing well. I know that he prayed for each of us on a regular basis.”
The beginning
David was a Jan. 1, 1941, New Year’s gift to his parents living in Omaha Neb. They had no idea little David would become one of the major leaders of United Methodist Men.
David married Amy Jo and the couple had two children, Patty and Laura.
Patty and Jeff Yeager now live in Lakewood Ranch, Fla., and Laura and Dirk Elzinga live in Spanish Fork, Utah.
David and Amy Jo were active members of Blaine (Minnesota) UMC for many decades. In recent years, David was active at St. Marks UMC in Tucson during the winter months.
Joint participants
David and Amy Jo never missed coming together to NACP meetings in Nashville.
“David was committed to the ministry of United Methodist Men and was very appreciative of the UMM Staff,” said Martha Davis, a staff executive with the commission since its creation in 1996. She notes that David traveled from Minnesota to Nashville just to help celebrate the 2012 retirement of Ann Waller. “He was always ready and willing to help whenever he could during the meetings and other UMM gatherings.”
David used to tell how Amy Jo supported him in his work and service as a prayer advocate. “Amy Jo is the only woman to be a life member of the Minnesota United Methodist Men,” he joked. “She attended more men’s meetings and more of the goings on than a lot of the men who were office holders.”
Amy Jo died in 2011 following a long battle with cancer. When she died, David honored her by asking that, instead of flowers, gifts should be sent to The Upper Room Living Prayer Center.
Memorial gifts
“Prayer is an important part of my life, and was for Amy Jo also. With memorial gifts to the Upper Room, Amy Jo left a legacy. Now, whoever uses that prayer line is able to do so, in part, because of gifts in Amy Jo’s memory. She has helped the Prayer Center keep operating beyond her life here on earth.”
David wanted to make sure that ministry continues. Financial gifts in his memory may be given to the Upper Room here.