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Memorial Service
Cailloux Theater
910 Main St.
Kerrville, TX
78028
Saturday, November 18, 2023
11:00 AM
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of Kerrville, TX
October 22, 1931 - October 16, 2023
- Obituary
- Guestbook
Arthur was the son of Dr. William E. Bell and Marvyn Hirsch Bell from Kerrville, Texas. He proudly graduated from Tivy High School (1949), attended Schreiner University (1949-1951) and graduated from the University of Texas (1953). It was at college that he met and married the love of his life, Lea Jane Lucas Bell in 1957. They were married for 51 years.
He is survived by his daughter, Belinda Bell Smith and husband Kris of Leawood, Kansas; and son, Benjamin William Baker Bell and wife Sherri of Spring, Texas; and son, Bill Weldon Arthur Bell and wife Melinda of Sugarland, Texas. Arthur had 7 grandchildren, Haley Smith, Harrison Smith, Lexi Bell, Lucas Bell, Liz Herrera, Justin James and Kate Bell. He is also survived by his brother Donald Bell and wife Connie of La Jolla, California.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his beloved wife, Lea Jane Bell, his sister, Elaine Chapman, and his brother, Robert Bell.
Arthur moved to Kerrville during his high school years. He had many fond memories of the Cowboy Camp Meetings in Mountain Home. At Tivy, he participated in track, football and basketball. He continued playing basketball at Schreiner and graduated from the University of Texas with a Business Administration degree. His first job out of college was with Wrigley's Gum earning $350 per week. Ultimately, in 1967 Arthur started and owned his own business in Houston, Texas for over 50 years.
He loved the Texas Hill Country and his retirement to Kerrville, Texas brought a passionate commitment to the community. He served on the boards of Playhouse 2000, Schreiner University, Museum of Western Art, American Red Cross and West Kerr Chamber. Arthur served as past President of West Kerr Chamber and because of his sacrificial service to the community, they created and named an annual award after him, the Art Bell Presidential Award, given for outstanding achievement and service. Arthur was honored as the first recipient. He belonged to multiple Chamber organizations and served as Chamber Ambassador for the Kerrville Chamber.
His passion for Playhouse 2000 and the Cailloux Theater resulted in a special arrangement of 2 reserved front row seats for every performance. Since he resided directly across from the theater, he created and placed a very large sign in his front yard that read, ''THEATER DISTRICT'' hoping to ignite community excitement. The amusing result was shortly thereafter, he received a tax bill from the city thinking his home was now a business!
Arthur served as Advisory Board Member of Greystone Academy at Schreiner University. He was also a dedicated member of Rotary, Elks Lodge (dancing the night away), Kerrville Trailblazers Walking Club, Sons of the American Revolution and First Presbyterian Church of Kerrville. He could often be found at a Tivy or Schreiner sporting event cheering on the home team!
Arthur was an avid tennis player and runner, participating in several marathons. He and Lea Jane loved to travel abroad hiking the Himalayas in India, touring Russia, taking the Orient Express and traveling with the Texas Exes.
Arthur could often be found meeting new people, instructing all he met NOT to have a dead fish handshake, attending every Chamber ribbon cutting and mixer, attending Wine Share, listening to Bob Wills and the Texas Playboys and participating in every parade or festival within a 100-mile radius - Doss Fish Fry was just one of his favorites!
A favorite highlight of his life was his 10-year participation in the Polar Bear Plunge held each January at Mo Ranch. Participants voluntarily ride a wheeled sled down a 38-foot slide and plunge into the freezing Guadalupe River. His final plunge earned him the oldest participant plaque as well as notoriety in National Geographic magazine.
Celebration of Life Services will be held at 11:00 AM, Saturday, Nov. 18th at the Cailloux Theater. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Playhouse 2000, Schreiner University and/or the Elks Lodge in Kerrville.
Special thanks to Rebecca Piszczor, Kellie Jetton of Country Care Management and Art's caregivers throughout this journey. We are humbly grateful for their excellent care of our father.
Arthur would want to be remembered as a two-steppin', fun-lovin', thrill seekin' man whose smile lit up the world. Now, to honor him, go and DANCE THE NIGHT AWAY!
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10 Condolence(s)
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Robin Harrison
Houston, TX
Saturday, November 11, 2023
My wife Stephanie and I met Arthur and Lea Jane in Houston in the early 80's
They were always so much fun to spend time with. We traveled together to San Francisco once and on more than one occassion as we walked into a world class hotel just to look at the lobby, Arthur would march us into the kitchen, unannounced, to see all of the equipment and watch the action. No one even thought about asking us to leave. Arthur was too engaging.
Thank you Arthur for always being a bright light.
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Ron & Karen Girard
Ingram, TX
Thursday, October 26, 2023
We were truly blessed to have Art in our community
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Claire Medlenka
Katy, TX
Tuesday, October 24, 2023
so sorry for your loss to all of you. What a special time we had doing our growing up on South Cheska.
You are sll in my prayers
What a great man!
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Mike Simmons
Ingram, TX
Tuesday, October 24, 2023
Art was my favorite person in town. At any gathering you could always know where Art was... I think he was like a deer feeder, always surrounded by a small herd of adoring ladies!
For the upcoming West Kerr Chamber banquet a year or three ago, I asked Art to donate one or more of his signature shirts. He always had a good lookin' shirt on. I wanted to use them to auction and raise money for the Chamber.
He agreed and provided two shirts.
Somehow, I ended up owning both shirts. (Wine may have been involved...) Nowadays, I wear one of Art's shirts to every Chamber Mixer (short sleeve for summer and long sleeve for winter) and I always get a nice comment from a lady or two who likely hugged that shirt a time or two on a dance floor.
I'm thankful to have two or Art's shirt as a lasting memory of the most friendly guy this side of anywhere. I've never heard a person say a word about Art that wasn't flattering. Rarely has there been a man so universally loved. His charm and genuine smile infected us all.
A life well lived.
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Denise
Kerrville, TX
Tuesday, October 24, 2023
He will dance his way through heaven as he did her on this earth. He will give great hand shakes and lend an ear for conversation. He will be greatly missed here in our hearts.
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Michael Miller
Houston, TX
Tuesday, October 24, 2023
I met Art and Lea through my father when I was a very young boy. I fondly remember him as larger than life and he quickly taught me to look at one in the eye and have a firm handshake - two things I now teach my little ones. Art's genuine enjoyment of life was something to behold and something we should all be so fortunate to have enjoyed.
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Paula Ejzak
KERRVILLE, TX
Sunday, October 22, 2023
Peacefully, sleep comes to a dear, beloved heart.
Quietly, we understand the time has come to part, but Art's spirit lives on.
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Eric Reinholt
Kerrville, TX
Friday, October 20, 2023
He had a very interesting life, I wish I could have finished telling it, because his reach was far and wide. He really should be in Tivy High Schools Hall of Fame in track and there are a lot of other things he did that benefitted others.
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Linda Buckelew
Medina, TX
Wednesday, October 18, 2023
Flyin high & outta this life. Great for you, you will be missed. You were a jewel of a person with a fire in your gut. Loved the adventures & stories.
My honor to have known you.
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Denise smith
Kerrville, TX
Wednesday, October 18, 2023
Art was the funniest, fun, best outlook, never met a stranger, loved everyone, never a bad word to say about anyone, be loved to dance and talk with people, help people that needed help, we should all strive to have a little piece of Art Bell in us. Great man he will be missed.