 West Hill Cemetery Sherman, Texas   Helen Bea Bell 17 October 1925 - 19 March 2012 John F. Bell 16 August 1918 - 18 August 2011 WWII wed 24 February 1946 John F. Bell, 92, of Sherman passed away on Thursday, Aug. 18, 2011, at the Homestead of Sherman. Arrangements are under the direction of Dannel Funeral Home. Graveside services were held Sat., Aug. 20, 2011, at 10 a.m. at West Hill Cemetery, Veterans Annex, with Rev. Leland Samuelson officiating and Worshipful Master Jerry Kirby accorded Masonic rites. John was born Aug. 16, 1918, in Hayden, MO, to Edward and Ella (Cook) Bell. He graduated from Dixon High School in Dixon, MO, in 1937. During his school days, John was a member of the baseball and debate teams as well as taking part in school dramatic productions. World War II resulted in his spending three years in the South Pacific and participating in thirteen battles, from Australia to Japan. He married Helen Bea Collison on Feb. 24, 1946. Before going to war, he started work for Frisco Railroad as a telegraph operator in 1940. After WWII he rejoined Frisco, coming to Sherman in 1952 as the General Agent. In 1980, he retired as the last General Agent for Frisco Railroad, which had merged with Burlington Northern. After his retirement, he turned his energies to the flower shop Flowers by Bea, owned by John and his wife Bea. After selling the shop they travelled for eighteen years spending their summers in Colorado. A member of the Sherman Rotary Club since 1952, John was known for his many civic involvements: having served as President of the Sherman Chamber of Commerce, the United Fund, Goodwill Industries and the Texoma Transportation Club. He also held major positions in the Jaycees and the Little League organization. He was a charter member of the Andrew Randell Masonic Lodge. Among his most notable achievements was helping develop the Blalock Industrial Park and create the forerunner of the Texoma Regional Planning Commission. John was predeceased by his parents, three brothers: Ernie Bell, Bill Bell, and Gene Bell, a sister, Mary Jane Hammock, and a son, James Bell. Survivors include his wife Bea, and a son John C. Bell and wife Judy of Sherman. Published in The Herald Democrat on August 21, 2011   Helen Beatrice "Bea" Bell, 86, passed away at Texoma Medical Center on March 19, 2012. Graveside services will be held on March 22, 2012 at 2 p.m. at West Hill Cemetery, Sherman, Texas. Mrs. Bell was born to Charles Collison and Nina (Gault) Collison on October 17, 1925 in Springfield, Mo. She attended schools and college in Springfield. On Feb. 24, 1946 she married John F. Bell in Springfield and they were married 65 years before his passing in 2011. Mrs. Bell owned and operated "Flowers By Bea," until her retirement in 1981. Mrs. Bell was preceded in death by her husband, John, parents, son, James Edward Bell, a brother and a nephew. She is survived by a son, John C. Bell and daughter-in-law Judy of Sherman. If desired, memorials may be made in Bea's name, to the charity of your choice . Published in The Herald Democrat on March 22, 2012  West Hill Cemetery Elaine Nall Bay ©2013 If you find any of Grayson County TXGenWeb links inoperable, please send me a message. |