James “Jim” L. Bell, age 62, died Thurs., Aug. 13, 2015 at Sunset Nursing Home, Concordia, KS. He was born on Aug. 16, 1952 at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Concordia, KS to Cleason R. & Marjorie M. (Farmer) Bell.
Jim graduated from Concordia High School in 1970 and Cloud County Community College in 1973. He married Juliana M. L’Ecuyer on Sept. 15, 1990 at Concordia, KS. Jim was devoted to his family, church & community. He expressed his commitment with active memberships spanning six decades in the Jaycees, Lions Club, Concordia Boy Scouts & Cloud County Assoc. for Retarded Citizens (Bea’s Kids), where he served on the Board of Directors; the Cloud County Museum Board, serving as both Director & Board member. He was the Chamber of Commerce Santa’s helper for 40 years; a volunteer with Cloud County Emergency Management & Concordia Law Enforcement. Jim was an active member & volunteer at the Presbyterian Church prior to his marriage and then Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church and was a Fourth Degree Knight with Knights of Columbus #1142. His favorite hobby was taking photographs and working with his Ham radio. Jim worked for JC Penney’s; Everett’s Hardware Store; Johnson Supply store for 13 years and then worked for 24 years at Larry’s then Rod’s Grocery Store where he never knew a stranger and was well known for his friendly and helpful disposition. He had an infectious spirit and personality and was always ready to tell a story or just make your day a little better when you visited the grocery store.
He is survived by his wife, Juliana, Concordia; sister, Lesta Bell Feldkamp (Mark), Overland Park, KS; half-brother, Robert Bell, Placerville, CA and a host of family & friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10 am, Mon., Aug. 17, 2015 at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church with Rev. Brian Lager officiating. Burial will follow at St. Concordia Cemetery. Visitation will be from 12-8 PM with a Vigil service at 6pm followed by a Knights of Columbus Rosary on Sun., Aug. 16, 2015 at Chaput-Buoy Funeral Home. The family suggests memorials to Meadowlark Hospice in care of the funeral home. For online condolences, please visit www.chaputbuoy.com.