David Craig Bell, 70, passed away on January 18, 2016 at Lawrence Memorial Hospital due to pneumonia.
David was born in Topeka, KS on August 24, 1945, to Carl Bell and Helen (Clark) Bell. He grew up in Overland Park, KS but enjoyed many happy summers on his uncle Ted Clark’s farm in Centropolis, KS with his lively cousins.
He enlisted in the Navy at age 17 in 1962, serving on the carrier U.S.S. Enterprise with tours of duty to the Mediterranean, South America, Vietnam, and Australia. He was honorably discharged in 1966.
David began work in the Kansas City area, mainly on residential and bridge construction. He was a member of the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners Local 61.
In 1981 he relocated to Houston, TX and became an elevator mechanic with membership in Local 31 of the International Union of Elevator Constructors, employed by Otis Elevator Co. and Fujitech America Inc.
Returning to Kansas in 1988, he was employed as a maintenance mechanic at Midwest-Werner and Pfleiderer in Topeka, KS. In 1991 he joined Amarr Garage Doors in Lawrence, KS working until his retirement in 2003.
He married Jane (Guy) Perkins on May 1, 1977, who survives of the home. He is also survived by sister, Deborah Cannafax of Atlanta, GA and aunt, Jean Clark of Ottawa, KS.
No visitation is planned and cremation services will be private.
Jane : I wanted you to know I am thinking of you and the family during this time. I only knew David through working with you but I know he will missed. Love to all.
How can you describe such a “one of a kind guy”
Self- educated with big curiosity, always another project in the works, toss in a slice of paranoia and you have only scratched the surface, will miss the only one I knew that rivaled Howard Hughes’s eccentricities
A fine 40 year friendship
Thanks Jane for keeping him with us all these years!
Our thoughts are with you Jane. Fond memories of David when we all were young. Good times. So sorry to hear of his passing.
I am grateful for the life of Mr. Bell. Thanks to his service and to the service of others in our armed forces, my family and I have been able to lead our lives in freedom and peace.
I remember well those happy summer’s when Cousin David and his sister Debbie came to visit us on the farm! We loved them and I have many good memories! My love and prayers for Jane and sweet Deb! God bless you both!
David was a true friend, loyal, honest and trustworthy. We’ve been friends since 1974 and I’ll cherish the memories and great times we shared. May he rest in peace! My heartfelt condolences to Jane Bell, who took such good care of David.