James Bruce Belin, Jr., beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and friend, went to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Friday, May 27, in Houston, Texas at the age of 84. Bruce was born the son of James Bruce Belin, Sr. and Margaret Louise Belin Feb. 17, 1927 in Albany, Ga. He moved to Houston in 1933.
Bruce graduated from Lamar High School in Houston and later attended Texas A&M University and the University of Houston where he studied architecture. He was President of Belin and Associates and was one of Houston's most successful residential real estate developers over the past 50 years. His residential communities included such well known Houston area master planned subdivisions as Elkins Lake, Pecan Grove Plantation, April Sound, Westwood Shores, Hilltop Lakes, Weston Lakes, and Bentwater.
His faith in Christ lead him to a ministry of creating places of worship and supporting the need for a faith based education. Bruce was a founding member of Houston's Tallowood Baptist Church and Pecan Grove Baptist Church, and a long time member of Second Baptist Church of Houston. He served in many capacities including Chairman of the Building Committee and was recognized as the Deacon Emeritus at Second Baptist. Bruce also created the Belin Foundation which was instrumental in creating churches in all of his master planned communities.
He loved Houston Baptist University and served there as a long time board member, a past Chairman of the Board, and a board member of the Cullen Foundation. Over the years, Bruce and his wife, Mary Ann, were instrumental in the development of HBU. In honor of Bruce and Mary Ann's service and dedication, the Cullen Foundation donated the funds to build the new Belin Chapel. They were also awarded the Spirit of Excellence Award in 1998, and Bruce was recognized by HBU with an honorary doctorate degree.
Bruce's professional and community service was very important to him as he believed strongly in giving back to others. He has served as the national President of the American Land Developers Association and as an active board member of Stewart Title Company. He has been recognized as one of the top entrepreneurs of Houston and was awarded Entrepreneur of the Year in 1996. Bruce assisted in Barbara Bush's literacy program, and was a long time supporter of Boys and Girls Country and the Star of Hope.
Bruce loved horses and was a member of the American Quarter Horse Association and served as an officer of the Texas Quarter Horse Racing Association. He proudly served his country as an aviator and gunner during World War II in the United States Navy aboard an aircraft carrier in the Pacific.
Bruce was preceded in death by his parents, James Bruce Belin, Sr. and Margaret Louise Belin; and his brothers, Doug Belin and Gary Belin.
He is survived by his beloved wife of 63 years, Mary Ann Belin; his son, Greg Belin, and his daughter, Laurie Belin Mahlmann; his daughter-in-law, Blair Belin, and his son-in-law, Dr. Lee Mahlmann; his grandchildren, Alison Seay and her husband, Steve, Katie Lumbley and her husband, Josh, Chad Mahlmann and his wife, Jodi, Colleen Durkin and her husband, Brad, Melissa Zabransky and her husband, Jared, Courtney Mahlmann; his great-grandchildren, Ben Seay, Noah Seay, Mia Seay, Mark Mahlmann, Jake Mahlmann, with one more great-grandchild on the way; and lastly, his faithful Labrador "Pepper."
Services in Houston are with Geo. H. Lewis & Sons - The Funeral Directors Since 1936, 713-789-3005. www.geohlewis.com. Friends are cordially invited to a visitation with the family from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday, June 2, in the Belin Chapel and Recital Hall at Houston Baptist University, 7502 Fondren Road in Houston. The funeral service is to be conducted 11 a.m. Friday, June 3, in the Worship Center at Second Baptist Church, 6400 Woodway Drive in Houston, where Dr. H. Edwin Young, Senior Pastor, Dr. James R. DeLoach, Senior Associate Pastor, and Dr. Russell Dilday, Chancellor, B.H. Carroll Theological Institute in Arlington, Texas, are to officiate. Immediately following the service all are invited to greet the family during a reception to be held in the adjacent Deacon's Parlor. A private graveside service is to be conducted at a later date on his ranch in the hill country where he loved to spend time.
In lieu of customary remembrances, the family requests with gratitude that memorial contributions in Bruce's name be directed to Second Baptist Church, 6400 Woodway Dr., Houston, Texas, 77057; Houston Baptist University, 7502 Fondren Rd., Houston, Texas, 77074; the Cullen Foundation, 601 Jefferson St., Houston, Texas, 77002; or to the Star of Hope Mission, 6897 Ardmore St., Houston, Texas, 77054.
Bruce graduated from Lamar High School in Houston and later attended Texas A&M University and the University of Houston where he studied architecture. He was President of Belin and Associates and was one of Houston's most successful residential real estate developers over the past 50 years. His residential communities included such well known Houston area master planned subdivisions as Elkins Lake, Pecan Grove Plantation, April Sound, Westwood Shores, Hilltop Lakes, Weston Lakes, and Bentwater.
His faith in Christ lead him to a ministry of creating places of worship and supporting the need for a faith based education. Bruce was a founding member of Houston's Tallowood Baptist Church and Pecan Grove Baptist Church, and a long time member of Second Baptist Church of Houston. He served in many capacities including Chairman of the Building Committee and was recognized as the Deacon Emeritus at Second Baptist. Bruce also created the Belin Foundation which was instrumental in creating churches in all of his master planned communities.
He loved Houston Baptist University and served there as a long time board member, a past Chairman of the Board, and a board member of the Cullen Foundation. Over the years, Bruce and his wife, Mary Ann, were instrumental in the development of HBU. In honor of Bruce and Mary Ann's service and dedication, the Cullen Foundation donated the funds to build the new Belin Chapel. They were also awarded the Spirit of Excellence Award in 1998, and Bruce was recognized by HBU with an honorary doctorate degree.
Bruce's professional and community service was very important to him as he believed strongly in giving back to others. He has served as the national President of the American Land Developers Association and as an active board member of Stewart Title Company. He has been recognized as one of the top entrepreneurs of Houston and was awarded Entrepreneur of the Year in 1996. Bruce assisted in Barbara Bush's literacy program, and was a long time supporter of Boys and Girls Country and the Star of Hope.
Bruce loved horses and was a member of the American Quarter Horse Association and served as an officer of the Texas Quarter Horse Racing Association. He proudly served his country as an aviator and gunner during World War II in the United States Navy aboard an aircraft carrier in the Pacific.
Bruce was preceded in death by his parents, James Bruce Belin, Sr. and Margaret Louise Belin; and his brothers, Doug Belin and Gary Belin.
He is survived by his beloved wife of 63 years, Mary Ann Belin; his son, Greg Belin, and his daughter, Laurie Belin Mahlmann; his daughter-in-law, Blair Belin, and his son-in-law, Dr. Lee Mahlmann; his grandchildren, Alison Seay and her husband, Steve, Katie Lumbley and her husband, Josh, Chad Mahlmann and his wife, Jodi, Colleen Durkin and her husband, Brad, Melissa Zabransky and her husband, Jared, Courtney Mahlmann; his great-grandchildren, Ben Seay, Noah Seay, Mia Seay, Mark Mahlmann, Jake Mahlmann, with one more great-grandchild on the way; and lastly, his faithful Labrador "Pepper."
Services in Houston are with Geo. H. Lewis & Sons - The Funeral Directors Since 1936, 713-789-3005. www.geohlewis.com. Friends are cordially invited to a visitation with the family from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday, June 2, in the Belin Chapel and Recital Hall at Houston Baptist University, 7502 Fondren Road in Houston. The funeral service is to be conducted 11 a.m. Friday, June 3, in the Worship Center at Second Baptist Church, 6400 Woodway Drive in Houston, where Dr. H. Edwin Young, Senior Pastor, Dr. James R. DeLoach, Senior Associate Pastor, and Dr. Russell Dilday, Chancellor, B.H. Carroll Theological Institute in Arlington, Texas, are to officiate. Immediately following the service all are invited to greet the family during a reception to be held in the adjacent Deacon's Parlor. A private graveside service is to be conducted at a later date on his ranch in the hill country where he loved to spend time.
In lieu of customary remembrances, the family requests with gratitude that memorial contributions in Bruce's name be directed to Second Baptist Church, 6400 Woodway Dr., Houston, Texas, 77057; Houston Baptist University, 7502 Fondren Rd., Houston, Texas, 77074; the Cullen Foundation, 601 Jefferson St., Houston, Texas, 77002; or to the Star of Hope Mission, 6897 Ardmore St., Houston, Texas, 77054.
James Bruce Belin, Jr., beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and friend, went to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Friday, May 27, in Houston, Texas at the age of 84. Bruce was born the son of James Bruce Belin, Sr. and Margaret Louise Belin Feb. 17, 1927 in Albany, Ga. He moved to Houston in 1933.
Bruce graduated from Lamar High School in Houston and later attended Texas A&M University and the University of Houston where he studied architecture. He was President of Belin and Associates and was one of Houston's most successful residential real estate developers over the past 50 years. His residential communities included such well known Houston area master planned subdivisions as Elkins Lake, Pecan Grove Plantation, April Sound, Westwood Shores, Hilltop Lakes, Weston Lakes, and Bentwater.
His faith in Christ lead him to a ministry of creating places of worship and supporting the need for a faith based education. Bruce was a founding member of Houston's Tallowood Baptist Church and Pecan Grove Baptist Church, and a long time member of Second Baptist Church of Houston. He served in many capacities including Chairman of the Building Committee and was recognized as the Deacon Emeritus at Second Baptist. Bruce also created the Belin Foundation which was instrumental in creating churches in all of his master planned communities.
He loved Houston Baptist University and served there as a long time board member, a past Chairman of the Board, and a board member of the Cullen Foundation. Over the years, Bruce and his wife, Mary Ann, were instrumental in the development of HBU. In honor of Bruce and Mary Ann's service and dedication, the Cullen Foundation donated the funds to build the new Belin Chapel. They were also awarded the Spirit of Excellence Award in 1998, and Bruce was recognized by HBU with an honorary doctorate degree.
Bruce's professional and community service was very important to him as he believed strongly in giving back to others. He has served as the national President of the American Land Developers Association and as an active board member of Stewart Title Company. He has been recognized as one of the top entrepreneurs of Houston and was awarded Entrepreneur of the Year in 1996. Bruce assisted in Barbara Bush's literacy program, and was a long time supporter of Boys and Girls Country and the Star of Hope.
Bruce loved horses and was a member of the American Quarter Horse Association and served as an officer of the Texas Quarter Horse Racing Association. He proudly served his country as an aviator and gunner during World War II in the United States Navy aboard an aircraft carrier in the Pacific.
Bruce was preceded in death by his parents, James Bruce Belin, Sr. and Margaret Louise Belin; and his brothers, Doug Belin and Gary Belin.
He is survived by his beloved wife of 63 years, Mary Ann Belin; his son, Greg Belin, and his daughter, Laurie Belin Mahlmann; his daughter-in-law, Blair Belin, and his son-in-law, Dr. Lee Mahlmann; his grandchildren, Alison Seay and her husband, Steve, Katie Lumbley and her husband, Josh, Chad Mahlmann and his wife, Jodi, Colleen Durkin and her husband, Brad, Melissa Zabransky and her husband, Jared, Courtney Mahlmann; his great-grandchildren, Ben Seay, Noah Seay, Mia Seay, Mark Mahlmann, Jake Mahlmann, with one more great-grandchild on the way; and lastly, his faithful Labrador "Pepper."
Services in Houston are with Geo. H. Lewis & Sons - The Funeral Directors Since 1936, 713-789-3005. www.geohlewis.com. Friends are cordially invited to a visitation with the family from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday, June 2, in the Belin Chapel and Recital Hall at Houston Baptist University, 7502 Fondren Road in Houston. The funeral service is to be conducted 11 a.m. Friday, June 3, in the Worship Center at Second Baptist Church, 6400 Woodway Drive in Houston, where Dr. H. Edwin Young, Senior Pastor, Dr. James R. DeLoach, Senior Associate Pastor, and Dr. Russell Dilday, Chancellor, B.H. Carroll Theological Institute in Arlington, Texas, are to officiate. Immediately following the service all are invited to greet the family during a reception to be held in the adjacent Deacon's Parlor. A private graveside service is to be conducted at a later date on his ranch in the hill country where he loved to spend time.
In lieu of customary remembrances, the family requests with gratitude that memorial contributions in Bruce's name be directed to Second Baptist Church, 6400 Woodway Dr., Houston, Texas, 77057; Houston Baptist University, 7502 Fondren Rd., Houston, Texas, 77074; the Cullen Foundation, 601 Jefferson St., Houston, Texas, 77002; or to the Star of Hope Mission, 6897 Ardmore St., Houston, Texas, 77054.
Bruce graduated from Lamar High School in Houston and later attended Texas A&M University and the University of Houston where he studied architecture. He was President of Belin and Associates and was one of Houston's most successful residential real estate developers over the past 50 years. His residential communities included such well known Houston area master planned subdivisions as Elkins Lake, Pecan Grove Plantation, April Sound, Westwood Shores, Hilltop Lakes, Weston Lakes, and Bentwater.
His faith in Christ lead him to a ministry of creating places of worship and supporting the need for a faith based education. Bruce was a founding member of Houston's Tallowood Baptist Church and Pecan Grove Baptist Church, and a long time member of Second Baptist Church of Houston. He served in many capacities including Chairman of the Building Committee and was recognized as the Deacon Emeritus at Second Baptist. Bruce also created the Belin Foundation which was instrumental in creating churches in all of his master planned communities.
He loved Houston Baptist University and served there as a long time board member, a past Chairman of the Board, and a board member of the Cullen Foundation. Over the years, Bruce and his wife, Mary Ann, were instrumental in the development of HBU. In honor of Bruce and Mary Ann's service and dedication, the Cullen Foundation donated the funds to build the new Belin Chapel. They were also awarded the Spirit of Excellence Award in 1998, and Bruce was recognized by HBU with an honorary doctorate degree.
Bruce's professional and community service was very important to him as he believed strongly in giving back to others. He has served as the national President of the American Land Developers Association and as an active board member of Stewart Title Company. He has been recognized as one of the top entrepreneurs of Houston and was awarded Entrepreneur of the Year in 1996. Bruce assisted in Barbara Bush's literacy program, and was a long time supporter of Boys and Girls Country and the Star of Hope.
Bruce loved horses and was a member of the American Quarter Horse Association and served as an officer of the Texas Quarter Horse Racing Association. He proudly served his country as an aviator and gunner during World War II in the United States Navy aboard an aircraft carrier in the Pacific.
Bruce was preceded in death by his parents, James Bruce Belin, Sr. and Margaret Louise Belin; and his brothers, Doug Belin and Gary Belin.
He is survived by his beloved wife of 63 years, Mary Ann Belin; his son, Greg Belin, and his daughter, Laurie Belin Mahlmann; his daughter-in-law, Blair Belin, and his son-in-law, Dr. Lee Mahlmann; his grandchildren, Alison Seay and her husband, Steve, Katie Lumbley and her husband, Josh, Chad Mahlmann and his wife, Jodi, Colleen Durkin and her husband, Brad, Melissa Zabransky and her husband, Jared, Courtney Mahlmann; his great-grandchildren, Ben Seay, Noah Seay, Mia Seay, Mark Mahlmann, Jake Mahlmann, with one more great-grandchild on the way; and lastly, his faithful Labrador "Pepper."
Services in Houston are with Geo. H. Lewis & Sons - The Funeral Directors Since 1936, 713-789-3005. www.geohlewis.com. Friends are cordially invited to a visitation with the family from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday, June 2, in the Belin Chapel and Recital Hall at Houston Baptist University, 7502 Fondren Road in Houston. The funeral service is to be conducted 11 a.m. Friday, June 3, in the Worship Center at Second Baptist Church, 6400 Woodway Drive in Houston, where Dr. H. Edwin Young, Senior Pastor, Dr. James R. DeLoach, Senior Associate Pastor, and Dr. Russell Dilday, Chancellor, B.H. Carroll Theological Institute in Arlington, Texas, are to officiate. Immediately following the service all are invited to greet the family during a reception to be held in the adjacent Deacon's Parlor. A private graveside service is to be conducted at a later date on his ranch in the hill country where he loved to spend time.
In lieu of customary remembrances, the family requests with gratitude that memorial contributions in Bruce's name be directed to Second Baptist Church, 6400 Woodway Dr., Houston, Texas, 77057; Houston Baptist University, 7502 Fondren Rd., Houston, Texas, 77074; the Cullen Foundation, 601 Jefferson St., Houston, Texas, 77002; or to the Star of Hope Mission, 6897 Ardmore St., Houston, Texas, 77054.
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