01/10/2003
Funeral services for James Marshall Bellamy, 79 of Knoxville, who died of cancer, Friday, Jan. 10, 2003, at Iowa Methodist Medical Center in Des Moines, were held Tuesday, Jan. 14, at First United Methodist Church in Knoxville.
Rev. Peter J. Peterson officiated at the services. Music was provided by Geoffrey Shultz, pianist, and Katie Davis, vocalist. Interment was at Graceland Cemetery in Knoxville, Military honors were provided by the United States Army, American Legion Baty-Tucker Post #168, and the V.F.W. John Myers Post No. 3519.
Casketbearers were Earl D. Bellamy, John G. Burns, Curtis A. Burns, James R. Burns, Jeffrey D. Beary, Jacob Bellamy Huso Jack Hagens, and Ted Johnson. Honorary bearers were Junior Briggs, Brad Crossett, Frank Elliott, Al Foster, Don Johnson, Dr. Keith Johnson., Dewey Mark, Tom Rogers, and Ben Shinn.
Jim was born February 17, 1923, in Knoxville, the son of Earle Delmar Bellamy and Grace Josephine (Gardner) Bellamy. He graduated from Knoxville High School and attended Davidson College, and later Northwestern University.
He was inducted into the United States Army in January of 1943 and served in New Guinea and the Philippines. He was awarded the Bronze Star for bravery in combat.
Following his military service, he returned to Bellamy Telephone Company, continuing his responsibilities as lineman and cable splicer. Additionally, he assumed the duties of vice president and secretary-treasurer, succeeding his father.
He married Shirley Johnson on February 14, 1948.
A member of the board of directors since 1948, Jim became president of Community National Bank and Trust Company in 1961. Jim’s extensive involvement in community affairs included the organization of the Airport Commission. He served 37 years on the Knoxville Airpost Commission and was the commissioner until he resigned in December of 2002.
Jim was one of the original organizers of the Industrial Development corporation that helped bring 3M and Moorman Mfg. to Knoxville. Appointed by Governor Robert Ray, he served on Iowa’s Water Quality Commission. He was a member of Knoxville’s School Board during the 1980s.
He was also a member of the First United Methodist Church. Jim’s lifelong passion was flying. He soloed after two hours of instruction in a Stearman in 1946. He had his instrument and commercial rating and was multi-engine land certified.
Jim was preceded in death by his parents and brother, Earle Gardner Bellamy.
He is survived by his wife, Shirley; a sister, Molly Burns of Des Moines; a son, Tom and wife Diane of Minneapolis; four daughters, Susan Beary and husband Jeffrey of Knoxville, Sally Heidmann and husband Robert of Nisswa, Minn., Betsy Hicks of Knoxville, and Ann Smith and husband Robert of Dallas, Texas; 12 grandchildren and many other family members and friends.
Memorials may be made to the Mayo Clinic or John Stoddard Cancer Center.
Arrangements were made by Bybee & Davis Funeral Home.
Friends may call after 9 a.m. Monday at Bybee and Davis Funeral Home in Knoxville where the family will be present from 4 to 6 p.m.