Clifton “Cliff” Beryl Belcher, 91, passed away on March 15, 2024. A graveside service will be conducted at 3pm on Monday, March 18, 2024, by Rev. Dr. Jeff Roberts at Raleigh Memorial Park Cemetery.

Cliff was a long-time resident of Raleigh, NC, and an active member for over 40 years at Trinity Baptist Church. He was born on January 12, 1933, to the late Nathaniel Burl and Mattie Beulah Belcher of Durham, NC, and attended public schools in that city. After graduating from Durham High School in 1951, Cliff enrolled at Richmond Professional Institute, College of William and Mary (now Virginia Commonwealth University), where he completed his undergraduate degree (BS/55) and received a four-year award for outstanding leadership performance. He worked in retailing before entering military service in 1956. After two years as a paratrooper in the 82nd Airborne Division, Cliff began his teaching career at Durham High School.

In 1960, he married his devoted wife, Eunice Lowery of Durham. They moved to Richmond, VA, where Cliff taught at John Marshall High School. In 1962, he returned to Durham to work with the Durham Industrial Education Center (now Durham Technical Community College). Two years later, he was hired as an assistant state supervisor in the NC Department of Public Instruction in Raleigh, eventually rising to the position of State Director for Vocational and Technical Education. After thirteen years as state director, Dr. Belcher became the Executive Director of the NC Advisory Council on Vocational and Applied Technology Education in Raleigh. Upon his retirement from the State of North Carolina in 1993, Dr. Belcher became the Executive Director of the NC Association for Career and Technical Education, serving until 2003. For the next three years, he worked as a private education consultant. During his career, Cliff pursued and earned degrees from UNC at Chapel Hill (MEd/65) and NCSU at Raleigh (EdD/78).

Dr. Belcher received numerous honors and awards, including North Carolina’s highest award, The Order of the Long Leaf Pine by Governor James Martin, the Kentucky Colonel Commission by Governor Wallace Wilkinson, and the Distinguished Service to Vocational/Technical Education in the United States Award.

Cliff was a devoted husband and father and dedicated his life to the advancement of vocational education accessibility. He steadfastly prioritized the well-being of his family above all other commitments. His greatest hobby was reading, a passion he cherished throughout his life.

In addition to his wife, Eunice, Dr. Belcher is survived by their children, Gregory D. Belcher (Sharon), Lisa Bellina (Jim), and Angela Service (Robert); five grandchildren, John and Derrick Belcher, Claire and Meredith Bellina, Sarah Fogel; and two great-grandchildren, Owen and Ella Belcher, whom he loved dearly.