Joseph “Hosey” Edward Belden

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Joseph “Hosey” Edward Belden, 94, of Midland, passed away Thursday, January 26, 2023. A rosary will be recited at 7:00pm, Friday, February 3rd at Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home. Funeral mass will be held at 10:00am, Saturday, February 4th at St. Ann’s Catholic Church. Interment will follow at Resthaven Memorial Park.

Joseph was born on November 29, 1928 in Horton, Kansas to Mary (Cruise) and Daniel “Chet” Belden, the first of seven children. His family moved to Topeka where he soon met three boys; they would all remain close friends for life.  He spent his summers working on his grandparent’s farm near Horton.  He graduated from Capitol (Now Hayden) Catholic High School in 1946.  He joined the US Army and served as a medic in the 24th Infantry during the occupation of Japan.  After Honorable Discharge, he took advantage of the GI Bill and enrolled at St. Benedict’s (now Benedictine) College in Atchison, Kansas, graduating in 1954.  That same year he married Doris Fleming, a union that lasted 56 years.  Joe went to work for Montgomery Ward and he and Doris moved to Independence, MO, where their first three children, Matthew, Janet and Susan, were born.  They moved to Midland, Texas in 1960 where Doris gave birth to their fourth child, Patrick.  Two years later they moved to Fort Worth, where their fifth child, Cheryl, was born.  They returned to Midland in 1966.  He was a District Manager for Ward for 33 years.  His territory covered west Texas, New Mexico and parts of Oklahoma.  After leaving Ward’s he worked for Mueller, Inc., selling steel buildings all over the southwestern US.

When he could, Joe filled his weekends with activity and adventure:  canoeing, dove hunting, racquetball and especially skiing, golfing and fishing.  He loved to work crosswords and watch college football, old movies, and golf. Joe genuinely liked people and rarely met a stranger.  He and Doris spent many nights playing games or hosting impromptu sing-a-longs with their friends.  He was a devout Catholic and served as Lector and Eucharistic Minister at St. Ann’s.  He loved to read, and his Catholic education taught him how to think.  He was a good cook and decent guitar player.  He loved Texas, he loved Midland, and he dearly loved his friends.  His family was very important to him, and he tried his best to be there for his many nieces and nephews.  Above all, he was a loving husband, outstanding father, proud grandfather, and indulgent great-grandfather.

Joseph is survived by his sister Catherine “Kitty” Belden of Oklahoma City, His son Matthew (and wife Cindy) of Ballinger, Texas, his daughters Janet (and husband Bryan Bristol) of Hunt, Texas, Susan (and husband Benny Ray) Fishback of Brownwood, Texas, and Cheryl (and husband Lee) White of Odessa, Texas.  He is also survived by grandchildren Martha, Joseph, Justin, Adam, Jason, Shannon, Shelby and Neal, step-grandsons Carter, Tanner, and Anthony, great-grandchildren Rose, Graham, Gwen, Sam and Luke, and step-great-grandchildren Paxton and Gianna.

Joseph is preceded in death by his wife Doris, his son Patrick, his parents, his brothers Daniel, Michael, Jerry, and Patrick, and his sister Mary Jane.  He was also preceded in death by his lifelong friends Tom Ravens, Harry Lavigne and Bill Stolte.

The family would like to express their gratitude towards the caring staff at Manor Park and Midland Memorial Hospital.  We would also like to acknowledge the long and devoted friendship of the Share and Care Group of St. Ann’s Catholic Church.

Memorial donations may be made to the Msgr. Larry J. Droll Scholarship Fund www.cliu.com/giving-back/faith-based-scholarships/msgr-droll-scholarship-for-catholic-laity, the Manor Park Employees Christmas Fund www.manorparkinc.org, Paralyzed Veterans Association www.pva.org, Christmas in Action www.christmasinaction.org, or the charity of your choice.

Pallbearers will be Joe Belden, Justin Fishback, Adam Fishback, Jason Nash, Neal Belden, Anthony White and Tanner Bristol. Honorary pallbearers are Merrell Witt, Frank Vitrano, Jack Mangan, Jay Stanfield, Gerry Hertel, Tom McIlvain, Don Tomlin, and Bob Duke.

Arrangements are under the direction of Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home & Crematory of Midland. Online condolences may be made at www.npwelch.com.

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