of Mountain Home, AR

May 6, 2021

Col. James Farrell Bell, U.S. Army Reserve (retired), 88, of Mountain Home, AR, passed away on Thursday, May 6, 2021. James was born in Joliet, Illinois, to James Charles Bell and Gwendolyn Farrell Bell on September 8, 1932.
James was always driven and motivated. After graduating from Joliet Township High School and the University of Illinois, he owned an insurance business in Joliet, Illinois. Later, he spent 20 years in the financial field with Merrill Lynch and Principle Financial Securities. He retired from there as a 1st Vice President.
James believed in placing God and his country first. He served on the Will County Illinois Board of Supervisors, and from there, as an Illinois state senator. He served as an Illinois Assistant Attorney General where he directed the Attorney General's Crime Victims Division. He was a graduate of the U.S. Army's Command and General Staff College. He was an Air Defense officer serving on active duty, active reserve, and in the National Guard.
In his retirement, James was active with military historical art and served as an artist with the U.S. Air Force. He was a member of the American Legion Post 52 of Mountain Home, AR and a volunteer at Baxter Regional Medical Center. Along with his beloved wife Sharon (1941 2017), he was an active member of Redeemer Lutheran Church in Mountain Home, where he served many years as a church leader and Elder.
He is preceded in death by his parents, brother Dr. Theodore Bell, and wife Sharon Best Bell.
He is survived by daughters Kimberly Bell Ristow of Athens, GA, Catherine Bell Whitcomb of El Cajon, CA, Julia Bell Nieminski of Athens, GA, Vicki Bell of Mountain Home, AR, and son James Severin Bell of Willcox, AZ. James is also survived by sister Jean Bell Jenkins of Medinah, IL. He will be greatly missed by nine grandchildren and twelve great-grandchildren.
A memorial service will be held at the Redeemer Lutheran Church in Mountain Home on August 25, 2021 at 2:00 p.m. Interment will occur on August 26, 2021 at Springfield National Cemetery at 10:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Redeemer Lutheran Church, Baxter Regional Hospital Foundation, Hospice of the Ozarks, Hospice House, and the American Legion Post 52. Arrangements are under the care of Roller Funeral Home.

Obituary Provided By:
Roller Funeral Home
Highway 5 North
Mountain Home, AR  72654
www.rollerfuneralhomes.com