Kevin Abraham Bell

Kevin Abraham Bell was born to the late Henry and Mildred Joseph Bell on March 14, 1955, in Beaumont, Texas. He departed life peacefully at 67 on Saturday, February 11, 2023, at MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, Texas, surrounded by his beloved family.

Kevin had a fond love and passion for all sports. He was an all-around, talented athlete during his childhood through High School, playing baseball, football, running track, and long jump field events. Kevin attended Our Mother of Mercy Catholic School, MacArthur Junior High School, and graduated from South Park High School in 1973. He attended Lamar University in Beaumont, Texas, from 1973 to 1977 while running track all four years. While attending Lamar University, Kevin became a member of the Epsilon Nu Chapter of the Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc., in the Fall of 1974. Kevin walked on to play with Lamar's football team his senior year. During his senior year at Lamar, he was drafted by the NFL to the San Diego Chargers and played there for one year. He was then traded to the New York Jets and played as a wide receiver for two years. After two seasons with the Jets, Kevin played for the Ottawa Rough Riders in the Canadian Football League for one year.        

Upon returning to Beaumont, Kevin worked at the DuPont plant in Orange, Texas, and the Chemco plant in Nederland, Texas, for many years. While working full-time, Kevin completed his Associate's Degree in Applied Arts and Science at Lamar University. He retired in April 2018 from the Gerdau Steel plant in Rose City, Texas. Kevin was a substitute teacher at Beaumont Independent School District for over ten years. Kevin was also an active member of the Appomattox Social Club in Beaumont, Texas, for over 20 years.

In 2002, Kevin was inducted into Lamar University's Cardinal Hall of Honor for track and football. He was an all-time great sprinter and still holds the Lamar 100-meter dash record of 10.3 set in winning the 1977 Baylor Relays. He was also a two-time NCAA qualifier in the 100-meter dash in 1976 and 1977. Kevin earned first-team All-Southland Conference honors as a senior in 1977 after leading the team in rushing with 515 yards. In 2021, Kevin received the NFL Player Recognition Award from the Beaumont Independent School District.

Kevin was a devout Catholic. He was a member of Our Mother of Mercy Catholic Church throughout his childhood & young adulthood, then joined Our Lady of Assumption Catholic Church in 1988. He dedicated his time to the church as a Eucharistic Minister and was Grand Knight in the Knights of Columbus 5035. 

Kevin was preceded in death by his parents, Henry and Mildred Bell; his sisters, Patricia 'Pat' Bell and Joyce Bell; his brother, Christopher Bell; and his father and mother-in-law, Harvey and Maudry Plummer.

Kevin was devoted to his family, friends, church, and social club and truly had a heart for helping others. He is survived by his wife of 39 years, Geralyn' Gerrie' Bell; his two children, Jason Mitchell and Kaylyn Bell; sister, Delia Bell Mayes (Ronald Wayne) and brother, Thomas Bell (Kim); sisters-in-law, Wilma Bell, Denise Plummer, and Susan Henderson-Rawls (Richard); brother-in-law, Harvey 'Buddy' Plummer; grandchildren who affectionately called him 'Paw Paw,' Jaylin Frazier, Kaysen Donatta, Kaidence Isaac, Kamari Brantley, and Kashtyn Brantley; great-grandson, Ayden Frazier; nieces & nephews - Goritta Rideau, Rosalind Kyle, Donna Woodfork (Dwain), Donald Bell (Etta), Robert' June' Lewis (Deion), Tomica Burney, Courtney Keller (Kevin), Brian Bell (Amanda), Quinten Emerson, Stephen Plummer, Jana Broussard (Armond), Reneé Bell, Brandon Dalco (Taquitha), Roman Gauthier, and Grace Bell; godchildren, Heather Lewis, Jamie Mansfield, and Periloux Peay; his dear, best friend for over 35 years, Rodney Saveat; and a host of other relatives and friends.

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