BELL, John D. - b. November 5, 1933 - d. October 10, 2020

[patyrn]

John D. Bell, age 86, longtime resident of Nowata, Oklahoma, passed away at his home on October 10, 2020 with his loving family by his side.  He was born November 5, 1933 in Pryor, Oklahoma to George and Argie Berniece (Sinor) Bell.  He had a nickname of "Brother John" given to him by his brother, Dude Bell.

John attended school in Moline, Kansas.  He married Marilyn Lois Wolfe on April 8, 1953.  He was a heavy machine operator his entire adult life and worked for many road construction companies throughout Kansas, Missouri, and Oklahoma before settling down in Nowata in 1974.  He worked for his brother, Dude Bell, from 1974 to 2007.  It is not certain when John finally retired as he would go help his nephew, Brent, whenever he would ask him.  He loved it when he had the opportunity to help him.  He was the happiest when he was asked to help on a job.  John was one of the hardest working men we all knew.

In the early 1970s before his retirement, John and Marilyn would head to Florida in November to spend their winters there, returning in the spring,  fueled up and ready to go to work.  While in Florida, he enjoyed going to the ocean and traveling around visiting new sites.  He most enjoyed his trips to the orange orchard and the tomato patches where he would pick fresh fruit and tomatoes.  He continued this tradition even after Marilyn's passing on April 8, 1998.  In recent years, John and Judy would meet his sister, Edna and her late husband, Carl Rex in Florida.  He greatly enjoyed these trips.  John had many friends that he would meet up with in Florida for many years, and they had a lot of good times there. 

John loved to plant tomatoes in the summer.  He loved working in the yard and kept his yard looking pretty all of the time.  He loved to mow and would mow a couple of times a week.  He loved his dog, Shasta, and she was his companion to go to town or take a nap.  He would lock her in the car with it running so she would be comfortable.  Shasta also accompanied John and Judy on their trips to Florida. 

John loved his family with all of his heart.  Then he had a very special lady, Judy, that came into his life.  They helped each other in many ways, and they had many fun adventures together.  Together they met new people and created a fabulous life together.  He enjoyed watching both his and Judy's family grow together, and he loved them as much as they loved him. 

Survivors include his sons, Donald (Jeanie) Bell of Hermitage, Missouri and Roy (Connie) Mosher of Bonner Springs, Kansas; daughter, Linda (Les) Thompson of LaCygne, Kansas; his life partner, Judy Grant and her daughters, Jeri McElhaney, of Talala, Oklahoma and Joan Spradling of Ozark, Missouri; his sister, Edna Armstrong of Augusta, Kansas; his sister-in-law, Caryl Bell of Nowata, Oklahoma; grandkids, Becky Damitz, Missy Volcko, Donny Bell, Cheryl Metcalf, Travis Crockett, Bryan Mosher, Natalie Huff, Amanda Goin, Pamie Baker, Ricky Engelhart, Jeremy Sanders, Jordan Henderson, Taylor McElhaney, Shawn Spradling, and Shelia Shaw; and 27 great-grandkids; 5 great-great-grandkids; 8 nephews; 3 nieces; and a host of family and friends.  Preceding John in death was his wife, Marilyn Lois Bell; his parents, George and Berniece Bell; his sisters, Georgia Wilson and Ethel Helms; and his brother, James "Dude" Bell.

Services for John Bell were held on October 15, 2020 at :Benjamin Funeral Home Chapel in Nowata, Oklahoma with Dr. Larry Delay officiating.  Services were entrusted to Benjamin Funeral Service.  Online condolences may be left online for the family at www.honoring memories.com. 

(taken from the Benjamin Funeral Service website)