JAMES LEON BELL

James Leon Bell, 84, of West Plains, MO passed away November 7, 2018 at Mercy Hospital in Springfield, MO. He was born July 14, 1934 in Trail, MO the son of Jesse Earl and Myrtle (Parsley) Bell.

He joined the United State Air Force on November 9, 1953 and served four years. He married Eula Elliott on August 17, 1953 and they had four children. James loved to go fishing and hunting and spending time with his family. He also enjoyed Bluegrass music and playing his guitars. He was of Pentecostal Faith serving as a minister for two years and drove the school bus for Gainesville School for many years.

He is survived by two children James Bell and wife Cathy of Caulfield, MO, and Kathy Owenby and fiancé Robert Trumble of Wasola, MO; two sisters Leota Williams of Warsaw, MO and Oleta Webb of Bourbon, MO; eight grandchildren Justin Bell, Jonathon Bell, April Maloney, Jamie Rogers, James McKisson, Michael Tandy, Levi Tandy and Promise Tandy; eighteen great grandchildren; two great-great grandchildren; several nieces and nephews and one special bible study friend, Kevin Keefe.

He was preceded in death by his parents Jesse and Myrtle Bell; two brothers Donald and William Bell; two sisters Etta Fowler and Deloris House; one son Maurice Bell; and one daughter Sandra Tandy.

Graveside Funeral services with Full Military Honors will be held at 1:00 p.m. Friday, November 9, 2018 in the Eaton Cemetery near Dora, MO with Charles Cale officiating. The family asks that memorial contributions be made to the American Cancer Society. Arrangements are under the care and direction of Clinkingbeard Funeral Home, Gainesville, MO.