J. Addison Bell

J. Addison Bell CHARLOTTE - J. Addison passed away Monday, March 23, 2015, at the age of 81, of ALS, commonly known as Lou Gehrig Disease. Born April 5, 1933, in Lynchburg, VA, his family moved to Harrisonburg, VA where his father, Aubrey Bell, was a Fire Marshall. Following graduation from Harrisonburg High School, Addison attended the University of Virginia Engineering College and later graduated from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. Addison served in the U.S. Navy during the Korean War on the USS Coral Sea Aircraft and also at Kingsville Naval Air Station. He was a private pilot for almost fifty years and was very proud of his two grandsons, Andrew and Christian, who both became pilots at the age of sixteen. Addison moved to Charlotte to work for Douglas Aircraft Company as a process engineer. In 1965, he founded Carotek, Inc. headquartered in Matthews, NC, and served as CEO until his death. He considered himself very privileged to serve with over 160 Carotek employees and their families as manufacturers agents, distributors, and mechanical and electrical engineered packages fabricators for the industrial market for five southeastern states as well as several international markets. The founding President of the Matthews Chamber of Commerce, he was also on the University of North Carolina Board of Governors, as well as serving as a Commissioner of the North Carolina Rules Review Commission. Addison was also a member of Christ Lutheran Church for over forty years and served on the Church Council in addition to other committees. Addison is survived by his wife, Janette (Sue) Graham Bell, who was instrumental in helping him start Carotek while raising their children. They were married for 57 years and were the parents of four children, Eddie Bell and his wife, Linda, Stephen Bell and his fiancee Dawn Kole, Rebecca Bell Holland and her husband, Rod Holland, and Jennifer Bell. He is also survived by nine grandchildren, Mackenzie Holland, Addison Bell, Mason Bell, Harrison Bell, Matthew Brown, Rachel Brown, and triplets, Andrew, Christian and Kathryn (Pipi) Holland. His parents, Aubrey and Lucille Crew Bell, preceded him in death. Addison's family will receive friends from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Friday, March 27th, at Harry & Bryant Co., 500 Providence Road. A service to celebrate his life will be held at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, March 28th, at Christ Lutheran Church, 4519 Providence Road with a reception to be held at the church following the service. Interment will be in Forest Lawn East Cemetery. Memorials may be sent to the CMC ALS Foundation (www.GiveCarolinas.org - go to "Donate Now", select "Neurological Disorders" and designate in memory of Addison Bell) or send by mail to 1221 Morehead St., Charlotte, NC 28204. Online condolences may be offered at www.HarryandBryantFuneralHome.com.