Henry Melvin Belsha

Henry was born in Anacoco, LA, on August 21,1932 to Henry and Vena Belsha.  He left high school in April 1950 and joined the National Guard. In September of that same year, his National Guard unit was called to active duty. He served for 21 months in active duty and obtained a GED prior to his discharge and enrollment to Southern Technical Institute.  Henry graduated with an Associate in Science degree in Electrical Technology.  On November 21, 1953, Henry married the love of his life, Maurice (Reece) Richardson in Atlanta Ga.  

Henry accomplished many things throughout his long life. In 1955, he began his career in the oil business by working for an Oilfield Service company.  Moving to Sulphur, LA, he worked for Cities Service Refinery from 1957-1983. He then worked in the electrical department, for Citgo, until his retirement in July 1997.

Henry’s other careers included being co-owner of Quality Building Materials and Belsha-Scarborough Realty.  He was a custom home builder throughout his life. Reece and Henry purchased 90 acres in Ragley where they cleared the land, built a house, and trained and raised horses. 

Henry and Reece eventually moved back to Sulphur and were members of Henning Methodist Church. 

Strong, determined, trustworthy are a few words to describe Henry’s personality. His friendship was valued by many of his coworkers and employees. He was very talented as evidenced by his numerous endeavors. Henry could probably recall, from memory, more phone numbers, and the extensive list of people, to which the numbers belonged, than anyone in Calcasieu Parish!  He was always ready to lend a helping hand. 

Speaking of the power of persuasion…..After suffering a heart attack, Henry talked his cardiologist into letting him go home and take care of a few things before driving himself back to the hospital. He was an active member of the Romero’s, Retired Older Men Eating Out, and enjoyed the many friendships shared by those who could attend. 

Henry and Reece lost their oldest daughter, Cheryl, on April 8, 2001. She was the mother of two beautiful children, Audrey and Derek Stephenson, who both live in Austin, TX.  June 2022, Derek married Joy Parker. 

After 2 strokes in 2019, Henry and Reece moved to Houston, TX to be near their youngest daughter, Ginger Belsha Sparks. They live at Eagles Trace Independent Living community where they have made many new friends and enjoy their time with Ginger, her husband, Steve and their granddaughter Rachel. In fact, if Henry is not seen up and about and Ginger goes to the bank, CVS, or around the dining room at Eagles Trace, all the ladies will ask about Henry.  Recently, one of the domino groups told Ginger, “You know, when we met Henry, we all said, ‘He really talks a lot, but he always makes us laugh.  He is so funny.”’

Survivors include his spouse, Reece Belsha, married 69 years, daughter Ginger Belsha Sparks and her husband Stephen Sparks and their daughter Rachel; grandchildren Audrey Stephenson, and Derek Stephenson and his spouse Joy Parker Stephenson. 

In lieu of flowers, donations to Shriner's Hospital, Wounded Warrior Project, or American Cancer Society.   

Services for Mr. Belsha will be held at Graveside at 11:00 AM Monday, May 29, 2023, at Mimosa Pines North under the direction of Johnson and Robison Funeral Home. Dr. Juliet Spencer will officiate services. 

Words of comfort may be expressed to the family at www.robisonfuneralhome.com