Obituary of Homer Claire Beldt

Born April 9th, 1922, in Matlock, Iowa from parents Christine Hannah and Harry Beldt. I went through eight years of grammar school in Matlock and graduated from high school in Sheldon, Iowa, eight miles away. I worked as a helping hand for one year on local farms. Then, at 19, the wind of high wages in California beckoned me. I worked in an aircraft factory for about one year in San Diego, CA, until Pearl Harbor was bombed in Dec, 1941. After Pearl Harbor was bombed (1942), I volunteered in the U.S. Navy. I went to Navy school for Aircraft Machinist and then did duty on the aircraft carrier U.S. Enterprise in the South Pacific. While in Navy school in Chicago, I met Elsie (in the U.S.O.). We got married January, 20th, 1945. When I came back from overseas. I was discharged in October 1945. I took turns working for my father in the live-stock business in the summer in Matlock, and Elsie's father in the coal business, in Chicago, in the winter until 1949. I decided to further my education by attending Aeronautical University in Chicago and Spartan School of Aeronautics in Tulsa, OK until 1951. I worked as a mechanic for American Airlines until 1956, when my big opportunity came to be a Flight Engineer for American Airlines. I flew for American until 1981, when I chose to retire at 591/2. During my career I was based in Tulsa, Dallas-Ft. Worth, New York, and San Francisco. During my flying career I had lots of spare time and got interested in Real Estate in 1965. In 1970, I got my broker's license and Elsie got her salesman license. We never actively worked as a sales person or broker. We just bought and sold a little on our own, mostly small rental properties. In 1976, we sold our apartments and purchased a large mobile home park, Casa De Lodi. In 1980, we incorporated Beldt Enterprises, and later purchased a Best Western Motel and a self-storage facility. We presently own Mobile home parks and self-storage facilities in California, Oregon, and South Dakota. When I retired from flying in 1981, I was based at San Francisco, about 110 miles where we live. We have chosen to live in the Lodi area ever since. We also raised two daughters, Helen and Mary. When our kids were grown, foster kids were taken into our home. One of them was long term and able to get adopted, Kathy. Homer is survived by his wife of 70 years, his three daughters Helen, Mary, Kathy, five grandchildren, and 8 great grandchildren. Homer was a lifetime member of the VFW and also a lifetime member of the American Legion. Homer is being buried on his 93rd birthday April 9th, 2015. Visitation will be held Thursday from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm at Rocha's All Faith Cremation and Burial located at 215 South School Street, Lodi, CA 95240. Graveside service will be at Lodi Memorial Cemetery at 2:00 pm located at 5750 E Pine St, Lodi, CA. A celebration of life will be announced for another day.