John Carley Bell

John Carley Bell
of Lewisville, Texas
John Carley Bell, 65, of Lewisville, Tex., passed away Sunday, October 21, 2007, at Zale-Lipshy University Hospital of UT Southwestern Medical Center. The eldest of four siblings, John was born in Gulfport, Miss., to John and Dollie Bell. A graduate of Harrison County High School, John went on to Mississippi State University and graduated with a Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering. After completing college, John briefly worked in St. Louis, Mo., before moving to Broome County, N.Y., where he met his future wife, Priscilla. John resided in the greater Binghamton, N.Y. area for over 15 years before returning to Mississippi, settling with his family in the small town of Pass Christian. In 1998, John and his wife, Priscilla moved to Lewisville, Tex., where he continued working in the field of flight simulation until March 2007. John and Priscilla Bell were married for 37 years, and had three sons. John was a lifetime avid learner, holding a private pilot's license, completing graduate course work in physics and advanced licensure in the engineering field. He enjoyed being outdoors, sharing his love for fishing and hiking with his sons. An enthusiastic storyteller, John would recite, to the joy of his listeners, vivid tales of growing up in rural Mississippi. He instilled in his family and friends a love of learning and care for others. During his life, John held many important roles: son, brother, husband, father, uncle and friend. Roles he held in a way that only someone with a love of life could have mastered as gracefully as John. He will always be remembered for his endless humor and clever wit, and always using his prolific intelligence to the betterment of others. A larger than life man, John was always modest in his accomplishments, for those who had the honor of knowing him, his positive influence will continue to live on. John is survived by his loving wife, Priscilla; his three sons, Sean, Savannah, Ga., Mansel, Murphy, Tex., and David, Dallas, Tex.; his two sisters, Abbey Kim Ritchie and Vickey Delancey, Gulfport, Miss.; and three nieces, Lisa, Tanya, and Gina; and nephew, Jack, Gulfport, Miss. John was preceded in death by his father, John C. Bell; his mother, Dollie B. Bell; his brother, Andy Turner Bell; and nephew, Aaron John Delancey.
A memorial service will be held November 17, 2007 at 11 a.m. in the First Congregational Church in Newfane, Vt. A celebration of John's life will follow. In John's memory, contributions may be made to Grace Cottage Hospital, PO Box 1, Townshend, Vt. 05353; or Newbrook Fire Dept., PO Box 77, Newfane, Vt. 05345.