Born: Saturday Aug-06-1932
Died: Tuesday May-12-2020
Funeral: To Be Announced

Morrison Funeral Home
& Crematory
188 S. Hwy 24
Rupert, Idaho 83350
Contact and Directions

Donald Gene Bell 87 year-old resident of Rupert passed away May 12th of natural causes to be reunited and celebrating with family and friends in his new heavenly home.

Don was born August 6, 1932 in Hammon, Oklahoma to Parents Frank V. Bell and Eva May Bromlow Bell. They moved to Burley Idaho in 1938. He graduated from Burley High School in 1951 and went on to work in the Burley Simplot plant prior to enlisting in the Army Nov. 1952 during the Korean War. A Lt Weapons Infantryman Honorably discharged in Oct 1955 as a Sgt with National Defense Service and Good Conduct Medals, continuing and finishing his 8 year commitment with the Army Reserve at Fort Lewis Washington.

Married to Janet Ann Allen Bell, of Heyburn, Feb 2nd 1957 for 60 years, who preceded him in death by almost 3 years in 2017. Don and Janet lived in West Seattle and later moved to Auburn WA where they raised the family.

He is survived by son Dennis Bell of Rupert, son Ronald and wife Kirsten Bell of Puyallup WA, grandson Kevin and wife Mary Jo Bell of Tacoma WA, grandson Derek and wife Carlie Bell of Puyallup WA.

Don retired with 30 years service from METRO Waste Water Treatment Plant (Seattle, King Co. Service area), as a Maintenance Mechanic. He was the go-to guy “If you want it done right, even-though it might take him a little longer” according to his friends and coworkers. An expert welder and manufacturer, oftentimes making a part if he didn’t have one on hand.

He did enjoy hunting and fishing in the Washington mountains and Puget Sound region passing that on to his sons. Also in retirement he enjoyed gold prospecting and metal detecting in the desert around their Lake Havasu City home. Don and Janet were snowbirds with their Rupert house as primary residence.

In his younger life Don did like his cars, fixing them up and keeping them shining were important to him. The surrounding desert and mountains of the MiniCassia region also served him well and kept him and friends busy in a time when freedoms were a little more abundant and provided many good tales and stories of their adventures.

Very active with the Burley Assemblies of God church through his childhood and youth, Don was a good Christian man and Father for his family, passing along a heritage to those of us left, to carry on.

Graveside service is scheduled for 11am, June 6 at Gem Memorial Cemetery in Burley.

Donald, Thanks for being a good son, friend, husband, father, veteran, example for us.

Arrangements are under the direction of Morrison Funeral Home, 188 South Hwy 24 in Rupert.