A memorial service for Troy Belanger, 48, of Nesbitt will be held at 2:00 p.m., Sunday, December 19, 2021, at Central Baptist Church in Marshall, Texas. A time for visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., December 18, 2021, at Downs Funeral Home in Marshall, Texas. Troy passed away on December 12, 2021, in Longview, Texas surrounded by his family after a brave battle against Covid pneumonia.

He was born February 10, 1973, to Jack Edward Belanger and Teresa Faye Redmon Belanger in Marshall, Texas. Troy attended school in Marshall and was a 1991 Marshall High School Alumni.

He started off in the work force as an over the road truck driver. After the birth of his first daughter, he made the decision to stay local and began driving a truck for Martindale Feed Mill. After several years at Martindale, the Marshall, Texas location closed, and he was faced with possible career change. He applied for and got a temporary position with Sabine Mine and eventually was offered a permanent position as heavy equipment operator where he remained until his passing. Prior to his illness, he was offered a promotion as a fill in supervisor. Sadly, he passed before he was able to begin.

On June 6, 1998, Troy married the love of his life, Tami Hopkins, at Grubb Pavilion in Marshall, Texas. Together, they purchased their first and only home in Nesbitt Community and welcomed two more children into their family.

He will be remembered fondly by all who had the pleasure to know him. He never met a stranger and was the life of the party. He was always laughing and making others laugh, often in the form of teasing or well thought out pranks. He was a hard-working family man and loved helping his family and friends with their projects even after working 12-hour shifts. A die-hard Dallas Cowboys fan, he rarely, if ever, missed a game. In his downtime, he enjoyed going hunting with his "pal" Melani, going on family vacations, and spending time with family and friends. A true kid at heart, Troy also thoroughly enjoyed riding rollercoasters and being outdoors. His greatest joy was becoming a Pop's to his grandkids. He loved his job and cherished the friendships he made with his co-workers at Sabine Mine.

He is survived by his loving wife of 23 years, Tami, and their children, Morgan Maddox and husband Corey and Melani and Dylan Belanger; brother, Shane Belanger and girlfriend Andrea; Aunt, Brenda Smith; grandchildren, Cruz, Kason and Kinzley Maddox; niece, Ellie Blake Belanger and nephews, Liam Cole Belanger and wife Marissa, Taylor Shane Belanger and fiancé Briana, and Ethan, Cameron, and Dalton Carter; cousins, Angela "Angie" Hampton and husband Darrell, Dustin Hampton, wife Courtney and Carlie, Wesley Smith, wife Brandy, and children Weston and Alexis, Chad Smith and son Jake; father-in-law, Guy Morgan, mother-in-law, Karen Morgan, and sister-in-law, Melissa Carter and spouse Roger. Close family friends, Raymond and JoEllen Kale and his best friend, Steve Oney.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Jack and Teresa, grandparents Jake and Patsy Redmon, grandmother-in-law, Dapha Grubb and special friends, Donald "Bubba" Spradlin and Stephen Mitchell.

Honorary pallbearers are the employees of Sabine Mine, Raymond Kale, Steve Oney, and Guy Morgan.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to either the American Diabetes Association, or the Epilepsy Foundation of America.