Joseph Bellinger, Jr.

Joseph Bellinger Jr. embarked on one last adventure when he left his earthly body behind on the morning of August 13, 2025. Our only regret is that he had to take on this adventure by himself.

Joe was born on July 13, 1951, in Austin, Texas to the late Joseph F. Bellinger Sr. and Lois Bellinger and was the oldest of six children. After living in San Antonio, Texas and Columbia, South Carolina for a time, his family moved to Warner Robins, Georgia when he was 7 years old. It was in Warner Robins that he would form lifelong friendships, marry the love of his life, and raise his own family. He would have two daughters with his wife Kyle and he relished being the only man in a family of women. Luckily, his four sisters trained him well.

Joe was a lifelong tinkerer and often referred to himself as a “Jack of all trades, master of none.” After high school, he quickly decided that college was not the path for him and found work first at the Honda Motor Mart, then YKK, before finally landing at Brown and Williamson Tobacco Company where he spent the rest of his working life. Joe worked so hard his entire life to make sure his family was well taken care of.

Joe enjoyed many hobbies over the years from motorcycles to fishing to hunting and everything in between. He could take anything apart and put it back together again, better than it was before. His garage is full of bespoke tools that he fabricated for himself to fix specific problems. Joe had an insatiable curiosity about the world around him and loved to learn new things.

His grandchildren were the lights of his life. When his eldest daughter, Kelly, had two boys; he renewed his motorcycle hobby and spent many days out on the trails with his grandsons and son in law. His time riding dirt bikes only slowed down when he had a pretty good crash and broke his shoulder–his first broken bone at age 62. As much as he enjoyed the actual rides, he enjoyed time spent in the garage with his family just as well.

In total, Joe had four grandchildren and made time for all of them. Sleepovers at Nana and Pop’s house were frequent and the grandbabies never wanted for anything while they visited. He was always up for an adventure and delighted in Disneyworld and hikes and family dinners equally. No matter what crazy questions his grandkids might pose to him, he typically had an answer. All four quickly learned that Pop knew a little something about just about everything.

Joe is preceded in death by his father, Joseph Bellinger Sr.; his brother, Paul Bellinger; and his beloved wife, Kyle Bellinger.

Joe is survived by his mother, Lois Harter (Dave) and his four sisters, Karen Marks (Richard), Maureen Trayner (Doug), Leslie Hoff, and Jeanne Hayes (Buddy). He is also survived by his daughters, Kelly Mallory (Shannon); Sara Rylander (Mike); four grandchildren: Reese Mallory, Aaron Mallory, Alex Rylander, and Zoe Rylander. Joe will be deeply missed by his beloved companion, Debbi Oates, and countless friends that he always counted as family.

A memorial service will be held at McCullough Funeral Home in Warner Robins, Georgia on Saturday, August 23, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. with a memorial gathering beginning at 10:00 a.m. Joe will be laid to rest at Magnolia Park Cemetery following the funeral service.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Mostly Mutts Animal Rescue in Kennesaw, Georgia at https://mostlymutts.org/support-us/individual-donations. Joe was a long-time supporter of Mostly Mutts and helped keep the doorknobs in tiptop shape.