Johnny Derk Belcher

Johnny Derk Belcher was born May 18, 1955, in Glasgow, Kentucky, to Levy Belcher and Bonnie Clodean Hale Belcher. Johnny passed away Friday, August 7, 2026.  He graduated from Glasgow High School in 1973 before attending Middle Tennessee State University, where he earned his master’s degree in 1976.

He began his career at Caverna High School as a teacher and head football coach, becoming the youngest head coach in Kentucky history at age 21. From 1988 until his retirement at age 52, he served as guidance counselor and golf coach at Glasgow High School.

Johnny was a longtime member of the Glasgow Country Club, where he served as club president and sat on the board. He enjoyed playing golf at courses throughout the state and country. He also taught golf to the Boys & Girls Club after school and founded the Tee-to-green program mentoring young members of the community and growing the game that he loved.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his oldest son, Jonathan Walker Belcher. He is survived by two sons, Benjamin Scott Belcher (Annie) and Alex Nelson Belcher (Kate); two brothers, Todd “Ralph” Belcher (Maria) and Larry Belcher; and six grandchildren — Bailey Kate Belcher of Georgia, Madison Rebecca Belcher of Georgia, Lindsay Elizabeth Belcher Francis (Kyle), Harrison Walker Belcher, Clark Sutton Belcher, and Waylon Rhodes Belcher. He is also survived by a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends, including special friend and caregiver Debbie Traylor.

Funeral services will be held 9:00 a.m. Monday, August 10, 2026 at the Hatcher & Saddler Funeral Home with burial in the Glasgow Municipal Cemetery. Visitation will be from 2 to 6 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home. Expressions of sympathy are requested to the Boys & Girls Club of Glasgow-Barren County.