Belton was a multifaceted, complex person, and during his memorial, all of his diverse groups of friends came together to honor, remember and celebrate his remarkable life. The mourning attendees of his memorial service reflected his many interests and activities: his football buddies from the Citadel, the doctors and other medical professionals from Emory where he worked, paddlers, cavers, hikers, neighbors, family and music lovers.

Despite his ailing body and the painful dismissal of many of his physical activities, Belton continued to passionately seek out endeavors that would keep him active. When his knees wore out and he could no longer hike or cave, he dove into kayaking. He tackled whitewater, braved the moody conditions of the sea, and pushed his heart by fitness paddling and kayak racing. Although Belton realized that his body could no longer handle the rigors of whitewater paddling, he stubbornly continued his fitness paddling and was even planning a sea kayaking trip to Cumberland Island.

It was during one of these fitness paddles that this strong, proud, generous man died. He died in the sea kayak he built, on a lake that he loved.

Belton, may your memory and life continue to inspire others to seek out adventures and challenges. Fox News Coverage of Belton’s Life and Death