Donald Earl Bell
May 03, 1946 - July 01, 2011
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Donald Earl Bell
May 03, 1946 - July 01, 2011
Obituary
Donald Earl Bell passed away suddenly Friday, July 1st at Saddleback Hospital in Laguna Hills, CA. at the age of 65. He was born in Texas City, TX, the son of Lamon & Wonnie Hayes Bell. Don was raised in the Church of Christ, graduated from Clear Creek High School in League City, TX, attended the University of TX at Austin; and then served in the US Navy before moving to CA in the 60’s. He was a medic in the Viet Nam war. He was employed first by Mission Hospital and then moved to open Saddleback Hospital as a surgical technician in the operating room and worked there for 37 years. He loved every day of it.
Don was a musician who loved playing his guitar every day. He played music with his friends in a band called ‘Diamonds in the Rough’ and would do cameo appearances with the ‘Barrelhouse Rockers’. He was very artistic; did calligraphy, drew cartoon animals on paper tablecloths during dinners out, and wrote songs for family special occasions. He also loved science and was active in Boy Scouts, earning the Order of the Eagle, and became his son’s den leader. As Astronomy was his passion, Don traveled many times to see a solar eclipse and did astrophotography. Besides the stars, he also was a passionate photographer of family. He managed the photos on the computer and did all the videotaping. He did gymnastics in high school and he and his sister Linda were one of the first Houston Oilers’ cheerleaders. His love of the ocean kept him in California; living by it, going surfing, sailing trips and fishing. He also was a collector of bugs and butterflies and was thrilled to have a son to share them with. He was a jokester, a comedian and loved to make his children laugh.
Don is survived by his wife, Elisa, whom he married in 1994, and was most proud of their two beautiful children, Ethan 15 and Sierra 10.
He is also survived by his mother Wonnie Morgan of Belton, TX, siblings Linda Jeter of Katy, TX, Marcia Vineyard of Alvin, TX and Larry Bell of Houston, TX., as well as nephews David, Stephen, and Michael in the US Army serving in Afghanistan, nieces Nicole, Adriana, Leah, Hannah, brother in laws Craig, Eric, Rocky and Mike and sister in law Patricia. Besides his family, he is also survived by many, many friends from Saddleback Hospital, AA24 years sober, band mates, neighbors, kid sports parents, birthmothers of his children and pretty much South Orange County.
A memorial service will be held at O’Conner Mortuary in Laguna Hills, CA at 1:00 pm on Monday, July 11th. In lieu of flowers, please send a donation to the Ethan and Sierra Bell Memorial Fund in care at Wells Fargo Bank or in care of their mother, Elisa Bell at 24 Calico Court, Trabuco Canyon, CA 92679. Donations may also be made through Paypal see Charities button on left for direct link.
18 responses to Donald Earl Bell
Ginger Ayton Bryan says:
July 10, 2011
What a sad loss – I remember Don in high school and his sister Linda, too. My sympathy goes out to all his family – he had a wonderful life and a giving life.
Mary Bell Moore says:
July 10, 2011
At times like these, it is only God who can speak the words that calm the sea, still the wind, and ease the pain. So lean on Him and you will never walk alone.
Monks-Green Family says:
July 10, 2011
Our love to you all at this very sad time, may God bless you
dessielee honeycutt says:
July 11, 2011
Don was a very special person. I loved hearing his stories and the delight he had in sharing his life with us. I also loved hearing about his beautiful wife and children. I will miss you, Don. My deepest sympathy to you, his family.
Marcia & Rocky Vineyard says:
July 11, 2011
To my brother Don,
What can I say? You filled our home with laughter
Each and every day.
Being perfect must have been quite the chore
But you succeeded and even more.
Moving from Texas, you packed up your boots
West to California, never forgetting your roots.
Raised two lovely children and a married a beautiful wife,
It looks like you had such a wonderful life.
Living life to the fullest,
With lots of love and friends,
I can only pray that I have such an end.
You are now in a better place now, I know,
With God and his angels, in heaven, looking below.
So goodbye my brother, I’ll miss you, I know,
I loved you so much, even though it didn’t show.
Why does it take something like this to say:
“I love you and I’ll miss you every day.”
Marcia
“Tot”