A Tribute of Love for Retired Sergeant Jonathan Donahue Belk (Jon) of Tampa who passed away on Thursday, December 19th, will be held on Saturday, December 28th, 10:30 a.m., at The Center For Manifestation, 3201 E. Lake Ave., Apostle Mark T. Jones, pastor with Rev. Dr. James Gallon, presiding and Rev. Bortherland Murray, eulogist. Interment will be in Garden of Peace Cemetery, Plant City, Florida. Jon was born on December 26, 1968 in Hudson, New York to Betty Jackson Carter and Richard L. Belk. Jon was a loving and supportive father to his children, stepson Mario Erik Monroe (Olivia) and son Jonathan Shaquille Belk ("Lil Daddy"). Jon accepted Christ as his Lord and Savior at an early age of 12 at Refuge Church of Our Lord in Lakeland, Florida and renewed his commitment again as a young man. Jon graduated from Plant City High School Plant City, Florida in 1986 where he was an elite basketball athlete and named to the McDonald's All American team his senior year. After high school, Jon attended the University of Alabama at Tuscaloosa on a full basketball scholarship. He graduated from Hillsborough Community College at Dale Mabry Campus with an Associate's degree in criminology. While caring for his family and working full-time, he graduated from the University of South Florida with a Bachelor's degree in criminology. Jon, affectionately known as "Lala" by his family and "Tree" by his fraternity brothers, was a gentle giant who always expressed compassion, love and care towards others. He enjoyed laughing and putting smiles on people's faces with his humor and animated storytelling. Jon touched the lives of many and left remarkable impressions with everyone he interacted. His all-time favorite basketball player and celebrity fraternity brother was Shaquille O'Neal. Jon devoted his life to public service, serving his country for four years in the United States Air Force (honorable discharge) and his community for 19 years as a Tampa Bay police officer. Jon retired as a Sergeant in August 2013. While in public service, Jon received several honors and awards, including Unit Citation Award, Excellent Duty Award and Crime Reduction Award. He was a member of the Upsilon Xi Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. where he started an annual Christmas toy drive, which continues to this day, for children in need in the Lakeland area. Jon was a member of M.W.U.G.L. of Florida F&A.M-P.H.A Plant City Lodge #206. Jon was preceded in death by his great grandmother Azalee Blackmon Prescott, father William Otis Carter, Sr. ("Dad"); grandparents, Mr. James Merritt, Mr. & Mrs. Harvey Carter, Sr. and Mr. and Mrs. Hazel Belk; and niece Little Miss Erianna Carter. He leaves precious memories for the family to cherish: devoted and loving parents; sons; grandmother, Mrs. Gladys Merritt (Hudson, New York); brothers, William Carter, Jr. (Nicole) (Sarasota, Florida) and Eric Carter (Shevonda) (Tampa, Florida); sisters, Bettina Young (Hudson, New York), Serica Carter (Tampa, Florida), Richellon Belk (Atlanta, GA) and Udanda Clark (Kevin) (Atlanta, GA); nieces and nephews, William Carter, Jyrale Carter, Ambreisha Carter, Devin Carter, Mycah Carter, Serenity Carter,; Eric Carter, Erica Carter, Erika Carter, Erielle Carter, Craig Carter, Isaiah Carter, Sherika Carter, Valentino Henry, Everett Williams, Kevon Harvey, Cherise Carter, and Campbell Clark; mother of his children Karen Belk and a host of aunts, uncles and cousins. Jon also leaves his dear friends and brothers, including Corporal Brian Hill, Officer Sean Bell and Sergeant Kenny Norris, faithful and devoted friends and fellow officers. The visitation will be held at The Center For Manifestation Church on Friday, December 27th from 5 to 7:30 p.m. The family will receive friends from 5 to 7 p.m. The family and friends are asked to meet at the church on Saturday for the service. Contributions may be made to the American Brain Tumor Association (www.abta.org/donate) in memoriam of Jonathan Belk.