A graduate of Classen High School, John L. Belt attended the University of Oklahoma where he received a bachelor's degree in fine arts, as well as his law degree. Before attending law school, John served in the U.S. Army and toured with the USO, performing for the troops. He was an accomplished singer and actor and appeared in several plays at Lyric Theatre, where he met the founder of the Oklahoma City Community Foundation, John Kirkpatrick, and his wife Eleanor. John soon became Mr. Kirkpatrick's attorney and his friendship with the Kirkpatricks helped to spur his lifetime passion for philanthropy.
John was well known for his advocacy of local arts and his efforts to revitalize Oklahoma City's historic Paseo arts district. With John's help, the Paseo has become a bourgeoning center of art galleries and commercial activity and has been recognized as a Top 10 Great Neighborhood in America by the American Planning Association. John's passion for the arts also led him to help establish the Harding Fine Arts Academy, a college preparatory high school focused on the integration of arts and academics.
John and his wife Joy met while working together on a project for the Arts Council of Oklahoma City. In addition to her career as an executive recruiter and corporate consultant, Joy injects her love of the arts into her work promoting local and regional artists through her Paseo gallery, JRB Art at the Elms. With their shared passion for the community, the couple spent 25 years volunteering for countless charitable organizations and started a fund at the Oklahoma City Community Foundation to support causes important to them in 2006.
John died in March 2013. At the time of his death, he had been serving as secretary and general counsel for the Oklahoma City Community Foundation for more than 30 years. In celebration of John's life and legacy, the Paseo Arts Association and the Oklahoma City Community Foundation commissioned a sculpture, Flamenco, that was installed in the Paseo Arts District. John's legacy will forever be felt in the Oklahoma City community.
