John Thompson Bellamy

Johnny was born at Travis AFB, California, the fourth child of Herbert and Hilda Bellamy. He was raised in San Antonio, Texas with his seven brothers and sisters. He is one of the “middle kids” and a constant companion to his brother, Joe. They got into everything. They succeeded together and got into trouble together.

Johnny joined and excelled in his father’s judo club when he was just a youngster. Together with his brothers, he traveled all over Texas taking trophy after trophy. He was really good. His brothers and sisters have many fond memories of Johnny in their childhood. He was funny, compassionate, daring, protective, and a real jokester. His very loud laughter, heard throughout the house was contagious. Johnny loved country music and he knew all the words to every song blaring from the radio. He even wrote a song about how he should have been a country western singer. When he sang, Johnny sang loud and bold with a passion.

Johnny graduated from John Jay High School in 1977. He married his high school sweetheart, Jenny and joined the Air Force in 1978. He proved to have a great aptitude and talent for skilled carpentry. During his four years of service, Johnny received many awards and commendations for his work. And then came the family. Johnny and Jenny had three beautiful children, Robby, Katy and Christi. He adored his kids and was proud to be their father. In his loud brassy voice with a gleam in his eye, he would brag about his kids to anyone who would listen.

After military life, Johnny learned other talents and worked in various jobs. He was a plumber at the San Antonio Zoo, built swimming pools/decks, did construction and contract work. His co-worker would say that Johnny was always happy, full of laughter and that he enjoyed life.

While his children were still young, Johnny’s family moved away from San Antonio. During the next years, Johnny would drift from job to job and develop other relationships. He sometimes seemed lost. Finally, in 2011, he moved to Dallas to be with and nurture his children, rekindle and bond with his own family and play with his eight grandchildren. He sparked his relationship with his kids not only as their father, but also their friend, confidante, advisor and hero. He was home with his family. It was where he needed to be. His children describe Johnny as loving, helpful, understanding. He gave unconditional love and support.

Johnny would proudly say that his children were his greatest accomplishment but his grandchildren were his joy, his blessing and they truly made his life happy. His last years were spent with his grandchildren, walking them from school, helping with homework, teaching them, talking to them about family, playing games, going to the park, swimming, and just spending time with them.. And they adored their Papa Johnny. They would rush to be the one to climb on his head, cuddle in his arms, ride on his back or just sit beside him. He adored them and he loved being Papa. In that loud booming voice, his bragging started up all over again.

Johnny now joins his father, mother and precious sister, Susie. His grandchildren – Andrew, Tanicia, Ciara, Alexander, Kendyl, DaQuan, Xavier and Micheael; his children and their spouses; Robby & Tamekia, Katy & Adrian and Christi & Rodney; his best friend and mother of his children – Jenny; his wife and step son – Melinda and Cody; his brothers/sisters and their spouses – Robby & Sue, Gay & Hani, Joe & Tracy, Lindy, Katy & Ron, Andy & Christina; his nephews and nieces – Chris, Archer, Melissa, Katrina, Coley, MaryAlice, Andy, Joe, Eddie, Ronnie, Johnny, Angela, Megan and Sara; his great nephews and nieces - Trey, Taliah, Dwayne, Shalise, Alana, and Maria; and many other relatives and friends will go on with their lives knowing that Johnny is with Our Father in Heaven, playing a guitar and singing with the angels and that for the time we had him, we were so blessed. His memory and legacy of laughter and love will live on in the hearts of all his family and friends.