James Milton Bell

James Milton Bell, was born on January 11, 1948, at Emory Hospital in Atlanta, Georgia, and passed away unexpectedly on April 13, 2026. Known by Milton to most, he leaves behind a lifetime of memories, plenty of stories, and a lasting mark on the people who knew him.

Milton was the cherished son of the late Doris Gunter Bell and James Curtis Bell. He was a devoted brother to his siblings, preceded in death by his brother David and survived by his sister, Susan Arnold. He spent his early years in Buford, Georgia, where he quickly earned the nickname “Frog” for his strong swimming ability. He later put those skills to use, working as a lifeguard each summer during his teenage years. Never one to limit himself to a single path, Milton embraced athletics and played a variety of sports, including football for the Buford High School Wolves.

In 1984, Milton married Ellenda, with whom he shared nearly 42 wonderful years of marriage. Their story began with friendship and grew into a deep abiding love for one another, forming a marriage built on mutual respect, partnership, and a shared love of laughter. He was a devoted father to three children: Mark Bell and his wife Michele, Melanie Carrick and her husband Mike, and Marshall Bell and his wife Kelli Jo. He took great joy in his children’s lives and was deeply proud of their many accomplishments and adventures.

Milton found immense joy and fulfillment in his role as a grandfather to his precious granddaughter, Molly Carrick. His eyes would light up at the mere mention of Molly, and he cherished every moment spent in her company. They shared a love of sweets and giggles and were often seen eating ice cream together.

Milton retired from Delta Airlines in 2001 where he held many positions, but is best known as an In-flight scheduler. Everyone’s favorite scheduler.

He was exceptionally intelligent and well read, with a deep and enduring curiosity about the world around him. He was especially drawn to books about history, particularly the Civil War, the American West, and the natural world. He enjoyed traveling and seeking out in person the places he read about. Over time, he visited nearly every Civil War battlefield, countless national parks, and many other historic sites.

Road trips across the country were among his favorite pursuits. He would often load up his car and set out for weeks of exploration, rarely with a fixed plan. He and Ellenda spent time in the deserts of Moab and Zion before heading into the Rockies of Colorado, stopping at national parks and forests along the way. Their travels also took them through the Pacific Northwest, with stops at Mount Rainier, Glacier, Crater Lake, and Olympic National Park.

When his children were able, they joined him on these adventures, and if one of them planned a trip out west, he was always quick to get on the road to be part of it. On countless mountain biking trips, Milton was a constant presence, often providing driving support, but just as often lifting spirits with humor when exhaustion began to set in.

He loved to travel not only throughout the United States, but around the world. He often shared with his family that he never imagined, growing up, that he would one day stand on the beaches of Normandy, see Iguazu Falls, explore the fjords of Norway, or witness the volcanoes of Iceland. He spoke of drinking Singapore Slings in Singapore before crossing an ocean bridge into Malaysia, and of sailing through the Caribbean, island-hopping with a margarita in hand. As a longtime member of Northside Church in Atlanta, he had a hand in building a greenhouse in Peru, a schoolhouse in Belize, and planting trees in the Philippines during the many mission trips he took.

Milton was also an artist, and photography was the medium he mastered. He took an interest in photography early on, taught himself, and worked on his craft for many years. You would be hard-pressed to find him without a Nikon camera close at hand on his many adventures. He loved nature and travel photography, and his prints can be found in the homes of his relatives, friends, and colleagues. He was fortunate to have his work selected by REI, National Geographic, SweetWater Brewing Company, and others for use in their advertising campaigns.

Family photos with Milton were always an operation, as he worked to find the perfect combination of light, lens, and settings—much to the chagrin of his family—but no one had better family photos.

Often called “The Dog Whisperer”, he was always happiest when surrounded by dogs, and dogs naturally gravitated towards him. While Milton loved all dogs immensely, there is no denying he had a special connection with his black labrador, Dooley. They spent hours together reading in his office, listening to vinyl, and lounging by the pool. The two of them were inseparable—the best of friends.

He loved Georgia football and traveling to games with his family, whether in Athens or Los Angeles. He often told his children how, as a boy, he would sit on the train tracks to watch games before Sanford Stadium was enclosed. Normally a fairly calm man, he became electric during games, cheering and shouting with an enthusiasm only matched—if not exceeded—by Ellenda. More than the games themselves, Milton loved the sense of community found in tailgating. Everyone was welcome at a Bell family tailgate, even if they weren’t cheering for the right team.

While he loved the fanfare and excitement of a football game, Milton equally cherished the peace and quiet of the mountains and being immersed in nature. A backpacker before it became common, he and his friends traveled trails all across the South. Never one to rush a hike, Milton took his time and reveled in the splendor of the natural world.He would tell his children to listen to the wind, the birds in the trees, and to breathe in the clean air—that nature was a special place, one to be cared for and protected. As a member of the Georgia Nature Conservancy, Milton helped to preserve the Georgia coastline by working on the barrier islands.

He and Ellenda made Saint Simon’s Island their home in 2022. Milton would often tell his children about his time in the 1970s and ’80s, when he would come down to the island, sleeping in the back of his truck so he could spend his days enjoying the beach.

Above all else, the thing Milton loved most was his family. Nothing made him happier than being surrounded by his wife, his children and their families, and all of the dogs. He was the center of the family, always ready with a good story, sometimes not entirely appropriate or even on topic, but always delivered with humor and warmth.

He was an incredible person, perfectly imperfect. He left an impression on nearly everyone he met. He loved to laugh and lit up when those around him were having a good time. He was a loving husband, an incredible father, and a dependable friend.Though he may be gone, the spirit of Milton lives on in all who knew him. The best way to honor him is to put on some good music, pour a margarita, and laugh until your face hurts. He would want us all to celebrate, to live fully, and to carry that joy forward in his memory.

A celebration of life for Milton will be held at a later date. If you would like to honor Milton’s memory with a donation, the UGA College of Veterinary Medicine and the Saint Simons Landtrust are two organizations he valued and supported during his life.