Art Bell
10/22/1931 - 10/16/2023

Arthur Baker Bell was born October 22, 1931 in Houston, Texas. He passed from earth to heaven on October 16, 2023, having lived life enthusiastically to the fullest! Art met every challenge with a smile and a positive outlook! He would emphatically say to anyone reading this to stop right now, find a dance partner and dance the night away!

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!

Obituary Provided By:

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