Jerry Lee Belden

JERRY LEE BELDEN peacefully journeyed into Heaven, April 15, 2015 at his home in Napa. He is now dancing with angels, playing golf, telling jokes, restoring cars and listening to country music with a Dr. Pepper in hand.

Born August 29, 1934 in Wilmot, South Dakota to the late, Harry and Eunice Belden.  The family relocated to Everett, Washington where Jerry graduated from Everett High School in 1952.  He was a member of SAE Fraternity at University of Washington and graduated cum laude in 1956 earning a BS Electrical Engineering degree.

Jerry served in Korea as a Communications Officer for the US Air Force and was later stationed at Hamilton AFB, CA.  He earned the rank of 1st Lt.

He began his career working for various San Francisco engineering firms advancing to Senior Electrical Engineer at the corporate headquarters of Safeway Stores.  Moving up, Belden & Wistort consulting engineers opened in Oakland and Alameda in 1967.  He maintained his engineering license for 50 years.

Jerry’s continued hard work boosted him to success and he founded Belden Incorporated, Electrical Consulting Engineers of San Leandro in 1973.  In 1995, he became the CEO with 30 employees and in 1996 Belden Inc. became an employee owned company.

During his early years Jerry designed and built a home in Oakland.  He enjoyed basketball and golf with his son Aaron and shot a hole in one in 1992; snow and water skiing with his daughter Lisa; country dancing and running.   

In 1991, Jerry married Paula and they designed and built a new home together in Napa.  In 1997 he retired to enjoy the good life! His retirement years were spent collecting and restoring classic cars; golfing; family dinners; “guys night out” every Tuesday consisting of fast food, friends, jokes, and car restoration; and mornings at the “Kauphy Klutch,” where friends, politics, and laughter were shared.

Jerry was a member of the Diablo and Napa Valley Model A Clubs, Bay Area T-Bird Club, Studebaker & Metropolitan Club, Chevy V8 Club, and Rotary International where he served as president. He had a remarkable sense of humor and was loved by all.

Jerry had many friends, worked hard, and loved his family.  He adored his granddaughters Hannah and Sophia and was actively involved in their lives, school and sports activities. He has left us with many wonderful memories and will be greatly missed but his love and spirit will remain with us all.

Jerry is survived by his wife Paula; son Aaron Lee Belden (Kelly) of  Castro Valley; daughter Lisa Belden Kathol (Matt) and granddaughters Hannah and Sophia of Napa; stepdaughter Robbin Taylor (Ron) and their children Rachel and Ryan of Boise, ID; stepson Jordan Heath of Castro Valley; mother-in-law Elsie Goines of Napa; sisters-in-law Nan Nelson and Danna Shirley of TN.

A private family graveside service will be at Tulocay.  Memorial  contributions in Jerry’s name to Napa Valley Hospice  or the Michael J Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research  would be appreciated.

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