Gerald A. Belt

Gerald A Belt (Jerry Belt) of Reston, Va. previously Vienna Va. , passed away peacefully at home on December 22nd. Born in 1931, he was 94 & blessed with a long & fruitful life. He leaves his beloved wife of 65 years, Gail Lammersen Belt, & their 2 cherished children & spouses. Christy Belt Grossman (Bill) & Terry Michael Belt (Sarina), both of Vienna, Va. He was a loving grandfather to 4 grandchildren…Melissa Grossman Jacoby & Luke Michael Belt (living) & also his dearly beloved grandson, David Belt & his oldest granddaughter, Katie Lammersen who predeceased him. He also had the joy of being with two beloved great grandchildren, Levin Jacoby & Jasper Jacoby.

Born in Springfield, Ohio, he graduated high school in 3 years & not sure what to do, he joined the Air Force at Barksdale Air Force base during the Korean Conflict. His Air Force Pilot Captain loved baseball as much as Jerry did & the “Barksdale Bombers” ended up as national Air Force champions. At the “Armed Forces Tournament “ in DC they defeated Army, but lost to Navy. In spite of that Jerry was named MVP of the Armed Forces Tournament with a .579 batting average. He also had the distinct record of striking out the remarkable Frank Howard 4 times in a single game during a summer season in Ohio! Eventually his prowess was noticed & led to a college scholarship offer from UCLA which he accepted. He was part of UCLA’s Freshman Team that defeated their crosstown rival, USC, for the state baseball championship. He joined Phi Kappa Psi fraternity & that forged a “forever” 2 generation bond. Now he joins many of his brothers in “Chapter Eternal”.

He met Gail his Senior year & sparks flew, & after she graduated a year later, they married. In California they moved south to San Diego County, where he first served as Manager of a Savings & Loan in Oceanside, California & then migrated to commercial real estate.

In 1972 he accepted a Civil Service position in the Public Buildings division of GSA & the family moved to Northern Virginia. When he retired he migrated to his wife Gail & son Terry’s very successful real estate team & became “The Pony” (as in “pony express”) for the Belt Team. He was invaluable. He was a licensed agent so he could meet appraisers, home inspectors, install lock boxes, get keys made, deliver brochures. You name it. Everyone loved him & essentially he was The Belt Team’s Good Will Ambassador.

Throughout all his years, employed & retired, he never ever missed seeing his son’s baseball games. Little League, Babe Ruth, American Legion, Bishop O’Connell HS, Georgetown University. If Terry was on the team, Jerry was at the game. Years later he did this again & was always at his 2 grandsons games.

Jerry also maintained & lived a deeply committed Christian life. At his parish church, St. Mark in Vienna, Va. he spearheaded  the very successful “Evangelization 2000” movement. 23 years later, and up until his death, he was a passionate leader of the “Alpha Movement ”. He never sought the limelight but he was beloved by all who knew him.

His Celebration of Life will be at St. Mark Catholic Church in Vienna, VA, starting at 11AM on Friday, February 13th.