Ray Gene Belt, 85
A celebration of life and interment for Ray Gene Belt, 85, will be held at Marshall Cemetery on County Road 349 near Caulfield at 2 p.m. Oct. 19, 2025. A potluck dinner to follow immediately at the Caulfield Community Center.
Ray died at his home in Ozark County with his wife and family at his side on Sept. 18. He was born in Elijah, on July 22, 1940. He was a lifelong resident of Ozark County.
On Oct. 4, 1982, in a small ceremony in the front yard of their home, he married the love of his life, Shirley. They would have been celebrating 43 years of marriage this fall. To this wonderful union was an everlasting legacy of 16 children, 40 grandchildren and many great-grandchildren.
For the majority of Ray’s working years, he drove a truck providing for his family. For a few years, he worked on a railroad up in Iowa. He also logged and had a sawmill. Ray loved to go fishing and deer hunting. One of Ray’s favorite things to do in his spare time was to go to auctions. He especially liked the auctions the Amish held regularly north of Salem, Arkansas. Above all else, he loved his wife, his children, his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He loved every single one of them. He was a hard worker and a good provider for his family.
His legacy will live on forever in his family and friends. He will be missed so much. He would want them to remember all the good times, the laughter and love.
He is survived by his loving wife Shirley; 12 children: Danny (Chris), Boyd (late wife Sandy), Kevin (Debbie), Rita (late husband Richard), Randy (Hope), Angela (Steve), Tresa (Mike), Twila (Travis), Chuck (Sarah), Casey (Lacey), Clint and Cameron (Amanda); his great friend, Edsel Johnson; his sister Linda (Kevin); too many grandchildren and great-grandchildren to list; and many other friends.
He was preceded in death by his children: Pam, Tonia, Trenda and Michael Hall; his parents, Odie and Sylvia Belt; and his brothers Charles, Flay and Darrell.
Arrangements by Always Faithful Memorial Services, West Plains.