James W. Bell

James W. Bell, 96, passed away peacefully on Sunday, January 6, 2019. He was born and raised in Louisa, Kentucky. His parents were Doshia Roberts and Roy O. Bell.

Mr. Bell graduated from Louisa High School at 15 years old and attended University of Kentucky. Mr. Bell enlisted in the U. S. Army Reserve Corps at the start of WWII. Before his enlistment, he met a nurse in Lexington, KY, Emma Fay Lyons, whom he would marry. They were married 48 years; she preceded him in death in 1991.

Mr. Bell spent nearly half a century working on special projects with American defense contractors and the U. S. Army, Navy and Air Force. He worked for many major companies specializing in electronic warfare including Raytheon, Sanders, LFE, and lastly SWL as Vice President of Engineering in Northern Virginia.

After retirement in 1995, Mr. Bell moved to Morehead, KY where he was an active participant in University activities and established an Education Scholarship Foundation at MSU. In 2008, he moved to Wesley Village, a senior living community in Wilmore, KY where he enjoyed his later years.

He was a long-time member of Army Navy Country Club in Arlington, Virginia. In Morehead, he was a member of the Optimist Club, Morehead Men's Club, and United Methodist Church. Mr. Bell was also a Kentucky Colonel, a member of IEEE and the Association of Old Crows and other professional organizations.

He is survived by one brother, John Paul Bell of North Carolina, and his children, Patricia Davidson of Cedar Park, Texas; James R. Bell of Annandale, Virginia; and Dosia Bell of Irvine, California. His sister, Edith Hall, predeceased him.

Visitation will be at the Morehead United Methodist Church on Friday, January 11, 2019, from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m., followed by a funeral service at 11:00 with the Rev. Drew McNeill officiating. Military honors will be presented by Morehead American Legion Post 126.

Graveside services will be 2:30 p.m. Friday, January 11, 2019, at Greenlawn Cemetery (East) in Louisa, KY with Pastor Dan Smith presiding.

In lieu of flowers, contributions are suggested to the James W. Bell Education Scholarship Endowment at the MSU Foundation, 150 University Blvd., Box 1887, Morehead, KY 40351.

Northcutt & Son Home for Funerals in Morehead is caring for arrangements.

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