On Sunday, July 30, 2023, Bruce Webster "Pete" Belknap, Jr., 73, passed away in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, with his family at his side. He had suffered a brain injury from a fall.

Born in Jackson, Mississippi, to Leila Downing Belknap and Bruce Webster Belknap, Sr., Pete was a life-long resident of Edwards, Mississippi. Growing up on his father's commercial okra farm in Edwards, he worked hard from an early age.

He attended Edwards School and graduated as Valedictorian from Raymond High School.  A Phi Kappa Phi graduate of Mississippi State University with a degree in electrical engineering, he attended Officer Candidate School attaining the rank of 2nd Lieutenant in the U.S. Army. Having completed jump school to become a paratrooper, he was immensely proud of finishing the elite Army Ranger School afterward.

Initially stationed in Germany, he then served in Okinawa, Japan.  Later, he followed in his father's footsteps as a rural mail carrier for the U.S. Postal Service from which he retired.

Instrumental in the upkeep of Edwards Cemetery, Pete sought to help others by cutting trees, refurbishing flower beds, and mowing lawns. He was a creative problem solver, often re-engineering farm equipment.  Most recently, he enjoyed square dancing, delivering okra and flowers to friends far and wide, and teaching the next generation to carry on the Belknap family tradition of playing Rook.

Pete is survived by siblings: Mary Belknap Gressett (Bill), Dr. Amos Belknap (Gean Claire), and sister-in-law Nancy Belknap; nephews: Dr. John David Belknap (Ashley), Dr. Charles Belknap (Claire), Dr. Sam Belknap (Kathleen), Christopher Gressett (Karen), and Clayton Gressett (Mary Winston); great nephews: Griffin Belknap, William Belknap, Graham Belknap, Thomas Belknap, Miller Belknap, Jack Belknap, Zachary Gressett, Wyatt Gressett; great nieces: Katherine Belknap, Georgia Belknap, Claire Belknap, Olivia Gressett; and numerous cousins.

He is preceded in death by wife Patricia Belknap, brother John Wayne Belknap, and parents.

Pallbearers will be Dr. John David Belknap, Dr. Charles Belknap, Dr. Sam Belknap, Christopher Gressett, Clayton Gressett, Charles Downing, and Griffin Belknap.

Visitation will be Friday, August 4, from 5:00-7:00pm at Wright and Ferguson in Raymond, MS, and on Saturday, August 5, from 10:00 – 11:00 am at Edwards Baptist Church.  Funeral services will follow at 11:00 am with interment at Edwards Cemetery.

Memorials can be made to Edwards Cemetery Association/Monty Montgomery, 5800 Anderson Road, Edwards, MS 39066.