James E. "Pappy" Bell

Bryant Funeral Home and Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home

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James E. "Pappy" Bell
(May 18, 1928 - April 10, 2011)

James E. “Pappy” Bell, 82, died April 10, 2011 at his home surrounded by his loving family in Great Bend, Kansas. He was born May 18, 1928 at Peabody, Kansas, the son of Jesse M. and Anna (Swift) Bell. He married Grace Ann Smith June 15, 1952 at Great Bend. A Great Bend resident for sixty years, coming from Eastern Kansas, he worked for Petro-log and Tomlinson Oil Company until his retirement in 1989. He was a United States Army veteran of the Korean Conflict.

Mr. Bell was a member of King United Methodist Church, Great Bend. He was a loving husband, father, and brother, and could always be found in his garage working on cars, and was an accomplished auto mechanic. He always enjoyed racing and watching his grandkids in football, wrestling, and motorcycle racing.

Survivors include his wife, Grace Ann Bell, of the home; one son, Jimmy Bell and wife Elysia, Hoisington, Kansas; four daughters: Karen Birzer and husband David, Cody, Wyoming; Janis West and husband Marty, Wichita, Kansas; Rhonda Spencer and husband Kevin, Gering, Nebraska; and Jamie Boor and Raymond Horton, Hoisington; two sisters: Naydene Hefner and husband Ray, Austin, Texas; and Betty Lewis, Kerrville, Texas; twelve grandchildren; fourteen great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by one daughter, Lisa Jo Bell; three brothers, Howard Bell, David Bell, and Raymond Bell; and one sister, Grace Bell Petre.

Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m., Thursday, April 14, 2011 at Bryant Funeral Home with the Reverend John Grummon and Pastor Scott Tempero officiating. Burial will be in Hillcrest Memorial Park. Friends may call from 1:00 to 9:00 p.m., Wednesday, April 13, 2011 with the family receiving friends from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Memorials are requested to Golden Belt Home Health and Hospice, in care of the funeral home.