Thomas H. Belt

Sergeant First Class Thomas Herbert Belt

SFC E-7 retired Thomas Herbet Belt, 97, of Cheyenne, WY, passed away June 10th, 2026, at the Cheyenne V.A. CLC, surrounded by his loving family.

Born on the 6th of March, 1929, in Cave-in-Rock, IL, he was the beloved sixth child of Willis Howard Belt and Ollie May Milligan. He was the second oldest son of 11 children. He enlisted in the U.S army on January 23rd, 1947, and later received his G.E.D on January 12th of 1959.

During a distinguished military career spanning 27 years and 6 months, 13 years and 6 months of which were foreign service, SFC Belt served with honor and dedication. Thomas served as a combat medic, combat engineer, then spent the final years of his career as a mess hall sergeant.

For the first 15 years of his life, Thomas worked alongside his siblings on the family farm. However, he got tired of being a farm boy - he wanted to see the world. On August 7th, 1945, he first joined the military. Thomas made it 20 days before he was discharged from the Army, as they had found out he was only 15. However, he was determined to join no matter what. On January 23rd, 1947, Thomas stole and drove his family tractor 15 miles to the recruiter's office. Once he got there, they asked for his age, to which Thomas replied, “18 as of today” – Which was a lie! He had two more months to go.

Thomas then went to serve in Japan from 1947-1950. He then went to serve in Texas and Washington state for a year. Thomas then served in the Korean war in 1952-1953; He served during the coldest time of winter in negative 30-degree temps (this is the only time in his life when he smoked cigarettes, and it was to try and keep his hands warm!). Next, he went to France in 1956 to work at an ordinance depot. In January of 1960 he moved back to the United States with his wife and their young son. In 1969, Thomas served in Vietnam for about 16 months. From 1970 – 1973, Thomas served in Germany during the cold war with the 3rd Armoured Division.

In 1969 Thomas was awarded The Bronze Star for his actions during the Summer Fall campaign in Vietnam.

During his time in the Military, Thomas was also awarded a National Defense Medal as well as many Accommodation Medals.

While serving at the Ordinance in Nancy, France, Thomas met his Wife, Maryse Noelle Estiot. The couple married on March 17th, 1957.

Following his retirement on August 31st of 1973, in Fort George, GA. Thomas and his family moved across the United States to Aurora, Colorado where they permanently resided and opened a shop selling Antiques, Secondhand items, and Christmas trees.

Once Thomas welcomed grandchildren into his life, he was never called grandpa and always went by Honey. This came to a point where the nickname, Honey, was used by the majority of people that met him.

In his final years, Thomas “Honey” resided at the Cheyenne VA Community Living Center. He lived for his weekly Bingo games where he loved winning Goldfish crackers (AKA bearcats or Catbears) for Great Granddaughter, Milly. Until the end, he was always worried that if the CLC found out he enlisted at 17, he would be kicked out of the Army – Don’t let him find out we published this with his real birthday and not his Military one!

He loved to tell stories to anyone that would listen – Especially about meeting Elvis in 1958 while both of them were in Freiburg, Germany. You may have even heard Thomas sing “Blue Suede Shoes” or one of many other tunes! If you were really lucky you got to hear his story about how his uncle Wid, who unknowingly fed all the farm animals biscuits that had been soaked in moonshine which led to all the animals being drunk. Don’t worry, no animals were harmed!

While in the Cheyenne CLC Thomas had a story published about him in the Oct/Nov 2025 Issue of ‘Veterans life Magazine’ by Nathaniel Shrake. He loved to show people he made it into a magazine, and would always say “Look who’s on page 24” which later evolved into his family referring to him as “Mr. page 24”.

How lucky were we that Honey lived to 97! There isn’t enough room on this page to write all his incredible stories such as how his father got a glass eye and how Honey was involved in the 1930’s bootleg moonshine trade (with his dad) while in grade school. Honey and his crazy stories will be missed.

To the CLC staff, volunteers, residents and anyone that crossed paths with Thomas: We loved sharing Honey with you.

Thomas Herbert Belt was preceded in death by his loving wife, Maryse Noelle Belt. Parents: Willis Howard Belt and Ollie May Belt. Siblings: Hazel, Amy Ruth, Mary Louiza, Gladys Melba, Ida Imogene, Ruey Gordon, Anderson Huston, Willis Rudy, Shirley Gertrude.

Thomas is survived by Sibling: Freda Allene Hodge. Children: Tommy Lee Belt and Sandra Noelle Asher, Grandchildren: Crystalle (Zachariah) McElvaney, Cody (Kimberly) Belt, Alicia Asher, and Steven Asher. Great Grandchildren: Ava McElvaney and Milly McElvaney. Grand-dogs: Penny and Kevin. Grand-cats: Kiki, TinTin and Pretty Girl.