Dates
Jimmy Francis Bell, of San Angelo, Texas passed away on April 9, 2024, at the age of 83. He was born on September 25, 1940 in Tulsa, Oklahoma to parents Thomas Ila and Frances Stuart Bell. Jimmy was a 1958 graduate of Tulsa’s East Central High School. Soon after graduation, he enlisted in the United States Air Force. It was while he was stationed at Goodfellow Air Force base, he met Nancy Guess at a 4th of July party. Jimmy and Nancy were married December 18, 1959, at Koberlin Primitive Baptist Church. While in the Air Force Jimmy and Nancy were joined by two children. Mark Allen Bell was born in San Antonio while they were stationed there. Rebecca Alice Bell was born in San Angelo, while Jimmy was stationed at Shemya in the Aleutian Islands. After departing the Air Force in 1963, the couple settled in Big Spring and then relocated to Dallas. While they were living in Dallas, David Anthony Bell was born, completing the family. After Dallas, the family settled in San Angelo in 1969. While in San Angelo, Jimmy sold life insurance for American National and then later, Jefferson Standard. In 1971, he transferred to Denver, Colorado with Jefferson Standard. After a year in Denver, the family returned to San Angelo to stay.
In the early 1980’s, Jimmy was become disillusioned with the insurance business and decided to dip in the oil field. He started as a mechanic helper in Big Lake and in six months decided to open a pumpjack engine repair service here in San Angelo with a partner. The business transformed from primarily service to sales. Jimmy would “run the roads”, buying and selling oilfield equipment. He knew every mechanic shop from Eastern New Mexico to Alabama and from South Texas and Kansas. He also knew what they needed and where to get it. He retired from oil field sales in 2012.
While in San Angelo, Jimmy and Nancy were active in the Fannin Elementary PTA, Northern Little League, and officers of the Lake View Athletic Booster Club. The Bell family were members of Lindell Avenue Baptist Church and the later, Edmund Boulevard Baptist Church.
Jimmy is preceded in death by his wife of 48 years, Nancy. Also preceding him in death are brothers-in-law Warren P. Aldridge & Norman Guess, his sisters-in-law Marion Aldridge & Ruth Guess, brothers Tommy Bell & Johnny Bell, sister Barbara Dye and nephews Ray & Martin Aldridge.
He is survived by his three children and their spouses: Mark & Jeanne Bell of San Angelo, Becky & Henry Cash of San Angelo, and Dave & Genese Bell of San Antonio. He is also survived by his sister-in-law Betty Ward of Owasso, Oklahoma.
Jimmy was called “Pop” by his grandchildren, and they are: Joshua & Megan Frasier of San Angelo, Jacob & Brianna Frasier of Ballinger, Hayden & Elyssa Bell of College Station, Grayson & Elyse Bell of Midland, Lucas & Lauren Bell of San Angelo, Allison Bell of San Angelo, Erin Bell of San Antonio, Marshall & Rissa Cash of Boerne, and Brittney & Pat Riley of Nederland. Also special to Jimmy, were his 16 great-grandchildren, nieces from Big Lake and nephews from Jal, New Mexico.
Pop was a colorful character. He said he could sell a ketchup popsicle to a lady wearing white gloves. He loved being around his family, especially his grandchildren. Jimmy always ready to go on an impromptu trip, whether it be to Oklahoma City for the Big 12 Baseball Tournament or to Abilene to Olive Garden. As a young man, he enjoyed drag racing-lamenting the day he sold his Oldsmobile 442. His most enduring trait was his love for animals. If a bird had nested in equipment he needed to move, he waited for the eggs to hatch before he move the needed equipment. He also loved his dachshunds. Gretchen, Frank and Frannie were nearly as special as his kids.
Visitation will be Thursday, April 11th from 5:00PM to 7:00PM at Harpers Funeral Home. Pop’s funeral service will be at 1:30 at Harpers and a graveside service will be afterwards at 2:30 at Lawnhaven Memorial Gardens. Dr. Todd Gray, of Coggin Avenue Baptist Church, Brownwood, Texas, a longtime friend of Pop’s and honorary grandson, will serve as officiant. The grandchildren will serve as pallbearers.
Mark, Becky and Dave would like to thank Cassandra, Lindsey, Roxanne, Jacob, and Kim at San Angelo Nursing Home for their loving care they provided to our father. We would also like to thank Lewis his roommate, and Steve his across the hall neighbor for keeping dad out of trouble.
The family asks, in lieu of flowers, please donate to the Rust Street Ministries, San Angelo, St. Pius X St Vincent de Paul, San Antonio, or the Helen Rippitoe Memorial Nursing Scholarship, Angelo State University.