John R. Bell

1946 - 2022

John R. Bell
1946 - 2022
Resident of Pacific Grove
Surrounded by his family, our beloved John Bell, owner of Monterey Stereo, passed away in the early morning of February 10th, 2022 in his Pacific Grove home after a brief hospital stay. For 47 years, John brought joy and happiness to thousands of customers through his audio and video business.
Born to John and Opal Bell in Oakland on December 29th, 1946, John was raised in the country outside of Roseville, where he would camp, fish, and frequent the outdoors. An entrepreneur at an early age, he would collect and sell coffee cans filled with figs, mow lawns, and at 16 was employed as a grocery store clerk with his own health and dental benefits – something he was always very proud of.
In 1967 John settled in San Jose with his wife Kay and daughter Lenora. In 1968 son Jeff joined the family. An impeccable dresser, John worked as a salesman in the men's department of J.M. McDonald - first in Roseville Square, then at their San Jose Hacienda Gardens store. In 1970 John was recruited away from J.M. McDonald by Century Music, later known as Century Stereo. It was during this time John began developing lifelong personal relationships with his customers.
In 1975 John moved to Monterey and opened Monterey Stereo in December of that year. He was the first independent audio retailer on the Monterey Peninsula, located at 520 Fremont Street. He remained in that location until 2014 when he moved to 719 Lighthouse Avenue in Pacific Grove. John was known for his integrity, warm smile, sparkling blue eyes, friendly personality and respect for others. Many of his customers still have fond memories of when John sold him their first stereo or home theater.
In the fall of 1983 John unknowingly met his future wife Patrice when she came into the store on a Thursday evening to choose loudspeakers for a music system that she had just purchased from one of his salesmen. Their first date on March 4th, 1984 at Domenico's on the Wharf showed Patrice just how many people seemed to know "John Bell, Monterey Stereo" as several stopped by their table to say hello to John during their evening together. Love prevailed, and they married in 1989. In 1991, they welcomed their son Sean.
John and his family were always on the go, traveling by boat, motorhome, motorcycle, air, rail, any possible way. Willie Nelson's "On the Road Again" was his theme song. He was a gourmet cook, and it would bring him great pleasure when his children would call asking for advice on how to prepare their prime rib, salmon, turkey, filet mignon, lobster, bolognese, or ratatouille, to name a few. An avid cyclist, he introduced his son Sean to the sport. An avid golfer, he also introduced his children to the sport - both sons still enjoy golf while his daughter cheers them on.
There are no words to express the hole we now feel in our hearts with the loss of John. He is survived by wife of 32 years Patrice, brother Dennis and his family, daughter Lenora (Neil) and children Brendan and Dylan; son Jeff (Jodi) and children Casey (Tim), Julia, Corey; and son Sean (Maria). We will miss him and his daily phone calls, jokes, and sense of humor. He was a kind, caring and loving husband, father, grandfather, and friend.
A celebration of John Bell's life will be held soon, and we invite all who knew John to join us. For details, please email bellfamilypg@gmail.com. In lieu of flowers, John would want you to support your local independent business.


View the online memorial for John R. Bell