Bryden William Belnap

Bryden William Belnap passed peacefully from this life at 5:00 a.m. on May 3, 2021, surrounded by his beloved mother and seven siblings. Bryden was extraordinary from the moment of his birth with Down syndrome on November 19, 1989, to Jerry and Mary Kay Belnap in Centralia, Washington. Bryden was a devoted follower of Jesus Christ and a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Like Jesus, Byden loved to serve. Although his speech was limited, he could regularly be heard asking, “May I help you?” He loved helping his dad play Santa, he offered to carry in the bags of any visitors, and he would “help” his family with any project. Bryden was a sweet servant; he wanted to help people feel better. One of his joys was assisting the coaching staff of every sport his nieces and nephews played. The family is grateful for the coaches who allowed him to sit on the bench and “coach.” Bryden was a musician; throughout his life he serenaded his family and neighbors with his musical gifts. He was the garage band, and he enthusiastically--although not musically--played the drums, trombone, guitar and boom box. As his hearing declined, he wore headphones, but always serenaded his family. His favorite artists were Tim McGraw, Brooks and Dunn, George Strait, David Archuleta, Taylor Swift, Celtic Thunder and John Denver. Bryden’s circle of friends was wide and varied, but he made lifelong friends in the youth of his childhood in Wellsville, Utah, and again when he moved with his family to Washington state. When his family moved to Washington, a special group of his “boys,” Luke, Shonnee, Nick, Nate, Kade and Shawn made the road trip to help Bryden feel loved and comfortable. On Bryden’s last day, he enjoyed a video call with all of those special friends. He was a collector. He loved to collect photographs, hats, pens, videos and friends. He loved dogs, and collected dog posters, dog toys and dog calendars. When he was able to be out and about, he would look for people with dogs. Dog people were his kind of people. Over the last several years of his life, Bryden collected grandfather’s names. His love for family was immense, and he wanted to know about everyone’s grandfathers. Through his many hospital visits, ambulance rides and friendly conversations, he would ask about his acquaintances’ grandfathers. The names and memories of grandfathers shared with him were carefully and respectfully recorded in binders. He always asked new caregivers about their grandfathers. His family delights in the thought that all of those grandfathers were happy to greet Bryden when he graduated from mortality. Bryden is survived by his mother, Mary Kay Belnap; and his seven siblings, Jeri Kay Brady (Stephen), Scott Belnap, Darin Belnap (Kellee), Sandy Falter, Manu Hatch (Sterling), Kyle Belnap (Tracy), and Barbi Mecham. Bryden was a loving uncle to his 29 nieces and nephews, their spouses and children. Bryden was preceded in death by his father and best friend, his “Papa,” Gerald Belnap; and a nephew, Taylor Brady. Bryden will be celebrated at graveside service in Wellsville, Utah, where he will be laid to rest with his parents, Jerry and Mary Kay Belnap. The family is grateful for his healthcare providers, especially Dr. Bethany Sweet and Dr. Jeff Christensen, Dr. Ed Steinweg, and Dr. Darrell Clarke, who kept him as healthy as they could for as long as they could. Please leave condolences or share memories and photos on the Tribute Wall to the left.