Jimmy Reese Bell

He was the son of James Lewis "Big Jim" and Emma Lee "Shorty" Bell. Jim grew up in Duncan, Oklahoma where he spent his days playing baseball, fishing, and hanging out with his friends on C Street or at the Duncan Lake. Jim's frequent visits to Halliburton, where his father worked, sparked an interest in the oilfield and welding. Through vocational school, Jim became a certified welder and pipeline fabricator. He had quite the reputation in his field and was known to many as "the best welder around". Jim liked to consider himself a Doctor of Molecular Surgery and would weld anything, his favorite being barbecue pits. Speaking of barbeque pits, Jim liked to do a lot of experimental cooking. The biggest grilling flop was when he tried to make "Reese" a chocolate cake! Yikes! Her favorite memories though were wearing his obnoxious welding hats, helping him care for the animals on the farm, and driving him crazy by writing all over the truck bed with his soap stones.

Aside from welding, Jim loved the outdoors, riding horses, rescuing animals, and cruising down the back roads listening to country music. Papa Bell left quite the impression on his granddaughters as well. When Papa was coming to visit, a treat was sure to come with him, usually a bag of his favorite peppermints. We will always have peppermints in our candy dish from now on! Jim was a unique character, but left an impression on so many with his genuine, straight-forward, kind nature. In recent years, Jim took and interest in reading the Bible and daily devotions. He loved his cowboy devotion book.

About a two years ago, he gave his life to Christ and found a church home and loving community of friends at Faith Baptist Church. The members of Faith were right by his side throughout the 2 week stay in the ICU and supported Jim's family to the fullest. Before Jim passed, he was working on building a sign for the front of the church.

Jim was proceeded in death by his sister, his parents, and most recently his wife, Cheryl Jo Bell.

Jim is survived by two daughters: Angie Olberding, along with her husband, Jeremy, of Okinawa, Japan and Shareese Poplin, along with her husband, James, of Edmond, OK. He was also blessed with five grandchildren as well, Drake Bradley, Chelsea Bradley, Gracie Poplin, Isabella Poplin, and Scarlett Poplin.

In lieu of flowers, Shareese would love for you to donate funds to provide a beautiful sign and possibly new playground equipment for this church in Jim's memory.

The family greatly appreciates all of the prayers, messages of concern and encouragement, and meals provided. Due to the unexpected timing of Jim's passing, a formal service has not been scheduled.