BELL, James Oliver "Dude" - b. May 5, 1937 - d. July 11, 2020

[patyrn]

James Oliver "Dude" Bell, 83, passed away at his home in Nowata, Oklahoma on July 11, 2020 with his family by  his side.  He was born May 5, 1937 in Pryor, Oklahoma to George and Argie Berniece (Sinor) Bell.  Dude's dad nicknamed him Dude when he was a toddler because he was just a little dude.  He now has a grandson and a great-grandson with the middle name of Dude.

Dude graduated from Moline High School in Moline, Kansas.  In high school, he was an outstanding football player.  The local paper called him Moline's scoring machine.  He was always a leader and was his class president from 7th grade throughout high school.  His sister said he always stood up for anyone that was being mistreated and had a kind heart.  She also said that he helped his siblings and parents with whatever they could not afford, and he would provide for them.  He worked summers on road projects from the age of 14 and was a very hard-working man.  He would say "work isn't work if you enjoy it". 

In 1968, Dude established Bellco Materials in Nowata, Oklahoma.  The business specialized in crushed limestone mining and quarrying and later esxpanded into highway, street, and bridge construction.  He loved building a business that his family could all be a part of.  He built the family business from one very small quarry operation east of Nowata.  Before the family sold the business in 2007, it has increased to five queries located near Nowata, Claremore, Dewey, Bartlesville, and Pawhuska, all in Oklahoma.  In 1986, he ventured into producing asphalt.  He had six plants near Dewey, Claremore, Pawhuska, Ponca City, Pryor, and an additional one that would move to large jobs as needed.  He had two road crews that laid the asphalt and a fleet of trucks.  He also had several maintenance shops.  Bellco's work area covered nearly all of Northeastern Oklahoma, covering north to Cherryvale, Kansas, south to the north edge of Tulsfa, Oklahoma, east into Arkansas, and west to Blackwell, Oklahoma.

After selling the family business instead of retiring and relaxing, he continued to work raising crops and cattle.  As a hobby he collected antique cars.  Dude loved his family.  Whether working with his sons and grandsons or the Sunday gatherings for lunch, he loved being with them.  He loved holding his boys, the grandchildren, and the great-grandchildren as babies.  He loved teaching them about work and how to accomplish whatever needed done from how to ride a tricycle to go-carts, tractors, combines, and big equipment.

Dude loved to help his community and surrounding area.  Through his company, he would donate asphalt driveways to various fire departments and senior citizens centers.  He donated a van and an ambulance to the Nowata 10-33 Emergency Response Team and a generator to the City of Nowata.  He would stop on the road to help a stranger that had a flat tire or had run out of gas.  He was a very generous man and will be missed by the many friends and family members he had.

Survivors include his wife, Caryl of the home; three sons, Jimmy (Lorie) Bell, Michael Bell, and Brent Bell, all of Nowata, Oklahoma; thirteen grandchildren, Blake Bell, Brook Bell, Lesley Riley, Joel Straw, Jackson Straw, Kaitlin Bell, Garrett Bell, Ty Bell, Morgan Bell, Madison Kester, Meghan Stroman, Bryce Bell, and Hunter Bell; 10 great-grandchildren, Laylah Riley, Jamison Riley, Josiah Riley, Zelda Pearce, Madden Bell, Kamden Hubbard, Kembry Hubbard, Easton Bell, Claire Kester, and Conor Stroman; a brother, John Bell of Nowata, Oklahoma; a sister, Edna Armstrong of Augusta, Kansas,  a very special friend, Dr. David Caughell; and many other relatives and a host of friends.  Preceding Mr. Bell in death were his parents, George and Berniece Bell; sisters, Georgia Wilson and Ethel Helms; and a great-granddaughter, Mallory Raylynn Bell.

Services were held on July 15, 2020 at the First Baptist Church in Nowata, Oklahoma with Dr. Larry Delay officiating.  No graveside service was held.  Online condolences may be left for the family online at www.honoringmemories.com.  Services were under the direction of Benjamin Funeral Service of Nowata, Oklahoma.

(published in the Bartlesville Examiner-Enterprise - 07/15/2020)