THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1997, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Tuesday, January 28, 1997 TAG: 9701280238
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B7 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: Associated Press
LENGTH: 58 lines
CHARLOTTE - Thomas Milburn Belk, president of Belk Stores Services Inc., died late Saturday at Presbyterian Hospital in Charlotte. He was 71.
Belk, who was recuperating from gall bladder surgery, was baby-sitting with his grandchildren at his home when he had a sudden attack.
Belk Stores spokesman Darrell Williams said he did not know the cause of death.
Belk was the youngest child of William Henry Belk, founder of Belk department stores. He served many years as president of the Charlotte-based corporation and the other Belk store corporations that operate department stores throughout the Southeast and mid-Atlantic states.
The merchandising empire sprouted out of a store his father opened in Monroe 109 years ago.
Belk's father left the business to his children when he died in 1952, and Tom quickly became a leader.
Belk was remembered Sunday as a devoted father and husband, a consummate merchant, a dedicated Presbyterian and a tireless contributor to his community.
``He had an earnest and honest desire to give back to society. He never felt entitled. He was the humblest of persons,'' said Stuart Dickson, chairman of the executive committee at Ruddick Corp. and a friend for about 50 years.
The Belk family has suffered through feuds among the six heirs to William Henry Belk's fortune. The six have sued each other several times over the way Belk was being run, and the family often communicated through lawyers.
Through it all, friends say, Tom tried to hold things together.
``Tom was the one who was always there working for the business, and working with others and trying to understand people,'' said Paul Bell, a Charlotte trademark lawyer and a friend of Belk's since childhood. ``He was more of a peacemaker who just wanted to get the job done.''
Belk also was the chairman of The Belk Foundation, which has provided financial support to many educational institutions, hospitals and other charitable causes in the Carolinas and throughout the Southeast.
Belk held numerous business and civic leadership positions during his retailing career, including president of the North Carolina Citizens for Business and Industry and chairman of the Charlotte Chamber of Commerce.
He also helped to establish the University of North Carolina at Charlotte and was a major supporter and benefactor. He had served on the school's board of trustees and was board chairman from 1982-1984.
Belk, and his brother John, led Belk's growth from a discount merchandiser to the largest privately owned department store group in the nation, with 30,000 employees and 260 stores in 14 states. The Belk stores combine for more than $2 billion in annual sales.
Belk is survived by his wife, Katherine, four children and 15 grandchildren. He also is survived by four brothers, William Henry Belk Jr., Irwin Belk, John M. Belk and Henderson Belk, and a sister, Sarah Belk Gambrell, all of Charlotte.
A memorial service was scheduled for Monday at Myers Park Presbyterian Church.
KEYWORDS: DEATH OBITUARY