John Scott Belew

John Scott "Scotty" Belew passed peacefully in his home on 19 July 2023 after a courageous fight of an unfair illness. He was 77 years of age. Scotty was born 15 January 1946 in Winters, Texas and was the fifth child of James Cecil Belew and Minnie Opal Scott Belew. Scotty was a farmer and rancher in Runnels County for 55 continuous years. He was a die-hard cotton farmer and a leader in the industry which included service on the Southern Rolling Plains Cotton Growers Association for many years and was instrumental in getting the Boll Weevil Eradication program. In 1982, he was elected President of the Texas Young Farmers Association where he travelled and advocated for Texas agriculture in the US and Europe. Scotty was active in his community serving the Wingate School Board, North Runnels Water Board, Big Country Athletic Hall of Fame Board, and the North Runnels Hospital Board. Scotty married the love of his life Peggy Sue Corley of Bronte on 7 December 1968. They enjoyed 54 great years of marriage. Scotty and Peggy enjoyed traveling to Ruidoso watching horse races and rodeos. They had many friends that they enjoyed spending time from the local 42 Club, the Trailer Hood in Ruidoso, and the Hitch-Along Gang along with many friends across the state of Texas and other parts of the US through Young Farmers. Scotty and Peggy wore out four suburbans traveling to kids sports from softball, tennis, basketball, track, golf, stock shows, and especially football. They were softball coaches together, he coached Little League baseball. He is survived by his loving and patient wife, Peggy Sue Corley Belew, and their daughter Tami and Conda Richards of Wingate, and sons Bill and Megan Belew of Wingate, and John and Paige Belew of Lubbock. His grandchildren Kyler and Hailey Richards, Charles Childress, Ashlyn Richards, Blair Belew, Corley Belew, Minnie Belew, Walker Belew, and Wilson Belew. Other survivors include his sister Charlotte Belew Robinson and brother-in-law Gayland of Brownwood, and sisters-in-law Jackie Corley of Bronte, and Mada Belew of Arkansas. He is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents James Cecil Belew and Minnie Opal Scott of Wingate, brothers James Douglas Belew and wife Carrie of Big Spring, Donus Ray Belew of Abilene, and sister Doris Evelyn Belew and Verlon Reid of Abilene, numerous local friends, fellow farmers, ranchers, and one million acquaintances he met on travels. He was anxiously expecting his first great grandson, Karter Holt Richards this September. A Celebration of Life will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, July 22, 2023 at the First Baptist Church of Winters. The family would like everyone to stay for a meal and time for visitation following the service in the First Baptist Church Jones Hall. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to West Texas Rehab or the First Baptist Church Building Fund.

John Scott Belew

January 5, 1946 - July 19, 2023