Curg Warren Belcher, age 81, passed away on October 1, 2026, according to an obituary published October 2 by Ashley Valley Funeral Home. A resident of Vernal, Utah, Belcher was a prominent figure in Utah athletics and education.
Born on August 23, 1945, in Vernal to Warren and Daisy Belcher, Curg was raised in the Uintah Basin. He graduated from Uintah High School before attending Brigham Young University, where he was a standout football player. Belcher served as a captain for BYU’s first Western Athletic Conference championship football team and earned All-American recognition. His football career included playing in the Senior Bowl and the College All-Star Game, and he was drafted by the Washington Redskins in 1967.
Belcher served in the United States Army infantry in South Korea from August 1967 through March 1969. Following his military service, he dedicated over 35 years to teaching and coaching at Layton High School and Uintah High School. His contributions to athletics led to inductions into both the Uintah High School Athletics Hall of Fame and the Utah High School Coaching Hall of Fame. In his honor, Uintah High School dedicated its football stadium as Coach Belcher Stadium.
A faithful member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Belcher served in various capacities, including as a bishop. He was preceded in death by his wife of 56 years, Sheila Jane Belcher. He is survived by five children: Shellie Anderson, Cassie Tollefson, Connie Larsen, Marcie Ison, and Allan Belcher; 16 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; twin sister Connie Pope; and sisters Dixie Sperry and Lana Riddle.
Funeral services are scheduled for Friday, October 9, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at the Glines Stake Center, located at 78 S. Aggie Blvd. in Vernal. A viewing will be held at the church from 9:45 to 10:45 a.m. that same day, with interment to follow at Vernal Memorial Park. An additional visitation is scheduled for October 8, 2026, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Phillips Ashley Valley Funeral Home.
