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Major Norman Daniel Belson, US Army Retired

Major Norman “Norm” Daniel Belson, 79, was born on December 8, 1942 in Neptune, NJ to Norman
Russell Belson and Verna Belson, nee Williams. Norm passed away on January 19, 2022 in Clearwater,
Florida. Norm is survived by his wife of 56 years, Jane Belson, nee Wood; and their four children:
Norman Charles Belson and his partner Gary Martz; Joseph Belson and his wife Dawn; Brian Belson and
his wife Michelle; and Dana Chianella and her husband Brett. He is also survived by five grandchildren:
Krista Plante and her husband Nick, Ryan Belson, Audrey Belson, Brenna Belson and Jacob Belson. He
has five surviving siblings: Gary Belson, Dorothy Theilen, Daniel Belson, Yvonne Cales, and Karen
McGuire; and one sister Sandy Belson who preceded him in death.
Military Career
Norm entered the Army on March 1, 1962 as a Private and retired on March 1, 1982 as a Major. After
enlisting and completing basic training at Fort Dix, New Jersey, he began his career at Fort Benning,
Georgia. His primary MOS was Infantry with a secondary MOS of Military Police. He was selected for the
NCO Academy Leadership program in 1963 and was then selected for Officer’s Candidate School in
1965. He served two tours in Vietnam, the first in 1966 and again in 1968.
He took advantage of numerous educational opportunities available while in the army. He earned his
GED, his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the University of Tampa in 1971
(graduating Magna Cum Laude), and finally a Master of Arts degree in Human Resource Management
from Pepperdine University in 1979. He also became fluent in German and Vietnamese.
After his retirement, he continued to support his military brothers and sisters by serving as both
President and board member of the Clearwater chapter of the Military Officers Association of America.
He also escorted veterans on honor flights, was honored to assist numerous veteran funerals as an
honor guard member and by presenting the American flag to family members, and he volunteered many
hours at the local Veterans Mall.
Awards and Decorations
Among his many awards and commendations, Norm earned three Bronze Stars with one for Valor in
combat. He also earned two Meritorious Service Medals, the Air Medal, Army Commendation Medal,
Meritorious Unit Citation, Good Conduct Medal, AOC Occupation Medal (Berlin), National Defense
Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm, Gallantry Cross of
Gallantry with Palm, Armed Forces Honor Medal (1 st Class), Vietnam Campaign Medal, Army Service
Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon with 4 bars, Parachute Badge, Expert Infantry Badge, and Combat
Infantry Badge.
Corporate Careers
After his military retirement, he entered the civilian work force working for Maas Brothers (Allied
Stores), which was acquired by Burdines (Federated Department Stores), which was acquired by Macy’s.
He retired as the collections manager for the company in 2004.

After that retirement, he became an NRA certified concealed weapons instructor and started his own
company Major Norm Belson, LLC where he taught many people how to shoot, and more importantly
when and when not to do so. In addition to the classes, he provided security consulting.
Law Enforcement Career
Norm served 19 years as a volunteer Clearwater Police Reserve Officer starting May 1984 until his
retirement in June 2003. He completed the police academy and was a fully certified Florida law
enforcement officer. During that time, he worked Patrol Division operations, Neighborhood Watch
Program support, criminal surveillance, special events, emergency operations and numerous undercover
vice and narcotic operations.
He earned two department Letters of Recognition: first, in 1985, for his valuable contributions to the
Field Training Officer Program’s Recruit Evaluation Scenario; and in 1988, for his calm and efficient
response to a severe flood event in east Clearwater. He was also presented the department’s Medal of
Excellence recognizing his commitment to the agency, having volunteered more than 9,400 hours
(equivalent to more than 4.5 years of full-time service).
Services
Services for friends and family will be held on January 29, 2022 from 10am until noon at Veterans
Funeral Care at 830 N. Belcher Rd, Clearwater, FL 33765.

In Lieu of Flowers Donations can be made to Alzheimers.org and Suncoast Hospice – 5771 Roosevelt Blvd., Clearwater, FL 33760

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