Louis Bell

Louis Donald Bell was born July 16, 1941, in Bokoshe, OK to Freida Emma Lindenaugh Bell and Walter Earnest Bell. He spent his youth hunting, fishing, and romping through the woods of his beloved Oklahoma with his nine siblings. If you were from Oklahoma, you knew him as “Buck”, and if you met him in New Mexico or elsewhere, he was “Don.” “Buck” graduated from Bokoshe High School in 1959, and immediately enlisted in the U.S. Navy, where he spent six years sailing the Pacific on board the air craft carrier USS Ranger. He was extremely proud of his service in the Navy and remained a lifelong patriot, who loved America deeply. After his tenure in the Navy, “Don” settled in Eagle Mountain California. It was there that Carolin Merchant accepted an invitation to a blind date with “an ol’ Okie”. That blind date changed their lives and, six weeks later, they were married in Las Vegas, NV. At the time of Don’s death, they were married just 4 months shy of 50 years. They welcomed their firstborn son, Donald Earl, on March 31, 1967, in Witchita, KS. On September 23, 1971, in Indio, CA, their second son, Kevin Ray was born. Don’s long and varied career path took him from California to Oklahoma to Alaska to New Mexico to Wyoming and then to Roswell, where he settled in 1984. He worked numerous large construction projects all over New Mexico, was a foreman on the Trans-Alaskan pipeline project, worked as a truck driver, operated heavy equipment for a mining company in Wyoming and both Chaves County and the city of Roswell. He also administered CDL skills tests to many nervous truck drivers. Don was a beloved Scout Master for Troop 28 in Riverton, Wyoming. He used those same leadership skills working with the local Royal Rangers post in Roswell and Southeastern New Mexico. In 1984, he was invited by Rev. Dee Hubbard and Mr. Asa Paschall to Bethel Assembly of God Church in Roswell. He attended services there and it changed his life. He became a devout Christian and spent the rest of his days serving in any capacity he could at Bethel, then New Covenant Fellowship, and finally at First Assembly of God. He loved Jesus and cherished his time in the Word of God. Don never met a stranger. He loved talking to people and had an infectious sense of humor. He was always looking for a way to make people laugh and have fun. He was a giant of a man both physically and spiritually and he will be greatly missed by all those who know him. He was preceded in death by both his parents as well as his brothers: Walter Earnest Jr., Ralph, and Ray Lee, and sisters: Elizabeth Harwood, Lula Ralls, and Gladys Aary. He is survived by his beloved, Carolin as well as his sons: Donald “Buck” Bell and his wife, Kerri, of Green Cove Springs, FL, and Kevin Bell and his wife, Edrina of Roswell; his 10 grandchildren: Brianne Bell of Socorro, Kayla Bell of Green Cove Springs, Abbigail Salyer and her husband, Brandon, of Sparks, NV, James, Eden, Zachary, Shepherd, Chaplain, Torah, and Canaan Bell, all of Roswell. He was excited to welcome his first Great-Grandchild, who is due to Abbey and Brandon soon. He is also survived by his sister, Geneva Plank of Indianapolis, IN; Edward Bell and his wife, Zora, of Noble, OK; John Bell and his wife, Martha of Cameron, OK. Brothers-in-law, Darrel Merchant and his wife, Gloria of Phoenix, AZ; William “Buddy” Merchant, and his wife, Bobbi of Mesquite, NV; and sister-in-law, Jackie Gray and her husband, Harley of Globe, AZ. His brother-in-law, Michael Merchant preceded him in death. He had numerous nieces and nephews whom he cherished, and who cherished him. Viewing will be held Sunday, February 21, 2016, 1:00 to 5:00 PM and Monday, February 22, 2016, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM at Anderson Bethany Funeral Home. A funeral service will be held at 10:00 AM on Tuesday, February 23, 2016, at the First Assembly of God in Roswell. Burial will follow at South Park Cemetery. Pallbearers will be James Bell, Chad Merchant, Trent Merchant, Jeff Wagner, Ed Pharis, Louie Barrera, Jeff Weathers, and Jeff Tutor. Obituary lovingly written by the family. Please take a moment to share your love and support for the Bell Family in memory of Donald in the online register at andersonbethany.com Anderson Bethany Funeral Home and Crematory is honored to be chosen to serve the Bell family in their time of need.

Louis Bell

July 16, 1941 - February 17, 2016