Dan “Colonel” Bellue left a legacy at McKinney Christian Academy that permeates deep into the student body and staff. Today, as friends and family celebrate the life that Colonel lived, it is vital that we commemorate his legacy so that we can learn from the man that he was. Colonel’s many accomplishments show not only his dedication to his work throughout the years, but he remained committed to his faith and family.

Commenting on how Bellue impacted her school experience former student Elizabeth Weichel states “I personally remember Colonel as both my former Physics and Aviation teacher. Both subjects are not easy, but Colonel made them enjoyable and easier to learn. I affectionally recollect on the many boys that would get sent to Colonel’s classroom at the middle school in order to get a razor, or how Colonel would give us nicknames in Aviation class reminiscent of Top Gun. Colonel himself borrowed his wife Judy’s suburban so that he could drive us all out to the airport for a field trip – teaching us more about both planes and about how to simultaneously have fun in school while deepening intellectual curiosity.”

MCA alumna Katie Jones had this to say about Colonel Bellue, “You had one of the kindest souls I’ve ever come across, but still somehow always managed to give me a hard time. You taught me and others so much and even though I might not fully understand physics, I understand so much more about life because of you. You taught me how to have humility, optimism, selflessness, and be the kind of person everyone loves, because that’s the kind of person you were, someone who everyone loved. You had such a way of lighting up a room and changing a bad day to a good one. You were always positive no matter if you were having a bad week, feeling under the weather, overwhelmed, nothing could break your positive spirit and that in itself is such a great quality to withhold and you mastered that quality. I will always cherish our conversations we had, the lessons you taught me, and the proudness in your voice when you spoke of your family. Thank you for being apart of my life, for leaving such a grand impact, and being someone anyone would be proud to be like. You were a one of a kind man Colonel Bellue, you are so deeply loved and you will be greatly missed. ”

Colonel was a steady teacher amidst the hectic schedules and lives that us high schoolers ran. While we know him as our former teacher, he had many other titles including Father, friend, and husband. Yet, let us students, alumni, and staff at McKinney Christian Academy always remember our faithful Physics and Aviation teacher simply as “Colonel”.