JAMES A. BELCHER, 72, of Ocean City, died Saturday at his daughter's home in Marmora.

Mr. Belcher was an auto body and fender man with Star Auto Body in Absecon and was a self-employed refrigeration and appliance repairman.

Mr. Belcher was a member of the VFW Ferguson-Foglio Post Number 6650 in Ocean City.

He also was a well-known local artist with many works in local banks and businesses.

He had served with the 508 Division of the 82nd Airborne Paratrooper G Company. He was involved in invasions in the Europe from May 13, 1942, to Oct. 7, 1945.

He had also served in Operation Market Garden, the invasion of Holland.

Born in Philadelphia, he had lived in Atlantic City for many years before moving to Ocean City 50 years ago.

Surviving are his wife, Mary; three sons, James L. of Ocean City, Donald Tomlinson of Marmora, and Jerry L. of Ocean City; a daughter, Terrie L. Benoit of Marmora; a sister, Agnes Kessleski of Philadelphia; and four grandchildren.

Services will be held Wednesday at 11 a.m. at the Godfrey Funeral Home of Palermo, 644 South Shore Road in Palermo, where friends may call from 10 a.m. Burial will follow in Seaside Cemetery in Palermo.

Contributions may be made to the Ocean City Rescue Squad, 1501 West Ave., Ocean City 08226, or the Atlantic City Medical Center Hospice, 1406 Doughty Road, Pleasantville 08232.

(The Press of Atlantic City, Atlantic City, NJ, 29 May 1994, Page B3 - courtesy of Tedd Cocker)