By MARK MAYNARD — The Independent
Ashland — Twenty months after an accident took the life of Russell “Rusty” Bellomy, his legacy lives on.
Randy Callaway, his son-in-law, speaks to churches and groups anytime he can about that fateful night when Bellomy was riding on his motorcycle with his grandson, Kristoffer Callaway.
Bellomy was killed when a truck hit the motorcycle head-on, but the grandfather was able to protect his grandson by reaching behind him and holding tight.
“The bruises on Kristopher’s arms that showed up two days later in the hospital showed it,” Randy Callaway said. “His pappaw grabbed him and pulled him against him. That’s why he had no injuries from the neck to the waist. He knew that truck was coming. Now that’s a love.”
It’ll be two years this July that the accident happened but Bellomy’s memory lives on through Callaway’s emotional talks and a motorcycle ride that last year attracted more than 200 bikers.
Kristopher Callaway is now walking again, without a cane or crutches. He’s a seventh-grader at Rose Hill Christian School. He was in the hospital three months and then went through an extensive rehabilitation. Last year he was named Cabell Huntington Hospital’s Comeback Patient of the Year and got to meet NFL quarterback Chad Pennington.
“That was such a thrill to him,” said his mother Rose. “He was so proud.”
His father said Kristopher wants “to follow in his papaw’s footsteps” in the mission field.
On Sunday, Ironton First Nazarene Church will have “Rusty Bellomy Miracle Day” and a huge presence of bikers is expected for the service, according to pastor Rob Hale. It starts at 10:30 a.m. at the church on South 4th St.
“We’re getting the word out to area bikers,” he said. “All the various biker clubs are invited. Rusty loved riding.
“It’s more of a story the world needs to hear instead of the church.”
At the first Bikers for Christ Memorial Ride about 60 bikers were expected and nearly 300 showed up, Hale said. “They have a Web site and have already had about 1,000 hits asking about the ride this year.”
“I knew him real well, for about 30 years,” Hale said of Bellomy. “I pastored in the Kentucky district and I’m now in Ironton.”
Bellomy was extremely involved in mission work through the Nazarene church. He was the district director for the Work and Witness program, leading many groups in projects all over the world. They will be building a treatment center in Jamica that will bear his name.
“He loved missions,” said his daughter Rose Callaway. “He loved all aspects of it and believed in it, and everyone knew that.”
Randy Callaway, a salesman for Big Sandy, loves speaking to groups and encourages churches to call him. His number is 694-7733 or his wife, Rose, works as the district secretary for the Nazarene church. That number is 329-0105.
“I’ve never had any trouble speaking,” Randy said. “My grandfather was a Baptist minister and my great-grandfather was a Baptist minister. I enjoy speaking. It never gets old. It’s a message of encouragement and it also taps on people’s heartstrings. I want to touch young people and let them know that tomorrow’s never guaranteed.”
MARK MAYNARD can be reached at mmaynard@dailyindependent.com or (606) 326-2648.
