Joe Belden, of Fernandina Beach, passed away on January 4th surrounded by his family after a battle with cancer.     
Born 1937, and raised in Austin Minnesota, Joe joined the Air Force out of high school to serve our country, and subsequently continued to do so as a civilian contractor, then eventually working for the FAA on Radar and other aviation systems until his retirement in 2006. The last 26 years of his tenure with the FAA were served in Hilliard after moving to Fernandina Beach in 1990.   
Joe enjoyed playing golf, traveling, dancing, scuba diving among other fun hobbies.   
He leaves behind his wife Elizabeth (Liz), 4 Children, Marquita (Frank), Kelly, Joey\Joe (Jennifer), and James;  7 grand children, Mikel-Ann, Wendy, Heather, Matt, Allyson, Ryan, and  Jason;  and 8 Great Grandchildren.     
The family asks that in lieu of anything tangible for condolences, please donate to the Lymphoma Research Foundation on his behalf.