This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Surnames: Loomis, Mixon, Weldon; Sauls, Classification: Obituary Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/JW.2ADE/8474 Message Board Post: Thurman Belcher March 4, 1931 – July 7, 2005 Thurman Arthur Belcher was born March 4, 1931 in Shawnee, Okla. to Robert and Nevada Belcher. He and his twin brother, Herman, were one of the three sets of twins in the family of eight children. The family moved to Empire, Calif. in 1941. Thurm graduated from Modesto High School in 1949. During the Korean War, he served in the Army and was assigned as a physical reconditioner in charge of neuro-psychriatic patients at Letterman General Hospital in San Francisco. He then joined Special Services and played football for the Presidio Red Raiders. Returning from the Army, he graduated from University of LaVerne in 1956 and began a 22-year teaching career. He taught history and PE for 11 years in Southern Californian and 11 years in Tehachapi. After leaving teaching, he engaged in real estate and contracting. Thurm was an avid outdoorsman and an outstanding athlete. He hiked extensively in his younger days and went whitewater rafting for 20 summers in Montana. He was an All American Swimmer at Modesto Junior College. He played football at the University of LaVerne and served as co-captain along with his twin brother. He also played semi-pro football for two years. Thurm served on the Tehachapi City Council in the 70s and founded the Tehachapi Mountain Democratic Club. He was a member of the Knights of Pythias, the AAUW and Tehachapi Heritage League. He was actively involved in the Tehachapi Community Church. He is survived by Phyllis, his wife of 40 years; daughters, Peggy Loomis, Kathy Mixon, Karen Weldon; son, Daryl Belcher; seven grandchildren; brothers, Marvin Belcher, Melvin Belcher, Roy Belcher, Ken Belcher; sister, Louise Sauls; numerous nieces, nephews and wonderful friends. A memorial service will be held Saturday, July 16, at 2 p.m. at First Baptist Church, 1049 S. Curry St. in Tehachapi. Wood Family Funeral Home handled the arrangements. Memorial gifts may be given to Tehachapi Community Church, Tehachapi Community Orchestra or University of LaVerne. LaVerne gifts will go to athletics. Indicate gifts are in memory of Thurman Belcher. Volume 106 - No. 13 July 13-19, 2005