Oct. 29, 1942 – Dec. 16, 2017
Frank Bell, 75, of Sweet Home, died at home Dec. 16, 2017.
He was born Oct. 29, 1942 in Bakersfield, Calif. to Orville Milton Bell and Helen Josephine (Suddoth) Bell.
He enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps in 1961 and served as a military policeman in the Pacific, achieving the rank of corporal before his discharge from active duty in 1966. He had his stories to tell from that time, sometimes involving a big drunk sailor who preferred not to go to the brig, but was nonetheless creatively compelled to do so.
After his military service, Mr. Bell took a job cutting weeds at an electrical substation, where his strong work ethic opened a series of doors that ultimately led to his retirement from the Bonneville Power Administration as a senior substation operator after 32 years of government service.
He married Kathryn Dee Austin on Dec. 2, 1967, and over the next 50 years together they raised three children, Jeffrey Bell, Phillip Bell, and Paula (Bell) Sellers. As a family they lived in The Dalles, Spokane, and Eugene, and loved spending time in the lakes and mountains of the beautiful Pacific Northwest.
To this day they can be found living the lessons he taught them, whether repairing old cars, adventuring outdoors, or simply loving their families.
In later life Mr. Bell battled Parkinson’s disease over 32 years, bringing to bear his analytical mind, work ethic, and Marine Corps toughness. Throughout his life he embodied the biblical mandate to, as far as possible, live at peace with everyone – except cats. He didn’t care for cats, who, of course, found him fascinating.
Mr. Bell is survived by his wife; three children; nine grandchildren; and three siblings, Margaret Kevorkian, Orville “Skip” Bell and Judith Tonnelli.
Mr. Bell was a private man, so there will be no formal reception or burial. The family will organize an informal garden party in the spring to plant new life and create a special space for remembering him.