Obituary

Larry Dean Belcher, 74, passed away peacefully on July 18, 2026, following an extended illness.

Larry was born on December 6, 1951, in Beckley, WV, to Fred and June (Hawley) Belcher. He graduated Oceana High School in 1969. Throughout his life, Larry pursued his love of music, photography, mountain biking, and the beauty of West Virginia. He worked as a coal miner, photographer, and he was a pioneer in mental health care. Larry founded the West Virginia Mental Health Consumer Association, which established an approach to mental health care which was adopted by providers nationwide. Though he traveled widely he always came back to his beloved West Virginia. Until his vision failed him, he devoted his retirement to creating and cultivating the Facebook Group “All of Us West Virginians,” which has over 300,000 followers and has been loved by West Virginians near and far.

In addition to his parents, Larry was preceded in death by his brother James.

He is survived by his sister, Sharlene Cook (Dewey); his children: Jesse Linehan Belcher (Molly) and Shane Belcher (Sarah), along with beloved nieces, nephews and their children.

He is remembered fondly by many friends.

Larry’s family wishes to extend their gratitude to Sylvia Hughes for her caregiving over the past decade, and for the generous care Larry received from the nurses and staff at Valley Center Skilled Nursing Facility in South Charleston, WV.

Memorial service will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, July 31,  at Blessed Sacrament Church, 305 E St. South Charleston.

Visitation will begin one hour prior at the church.

In lieu of flowers, in recognition of his affection for the beauty of this state, contributions in Larry’s honor may be made to West Virginia State Parks Foundation at www.lovewvstateparks.com .

Condolences may be sent to the family at www.barlowbonsall.com .

Barlow Bonsall Funeral Home has been entrusted with the arrangements.