Douglas Wayne Bell

Douglas Wayne Bell passed peacefully at home surrounded by his family and loved ones. He was known for his quiet nature, steady presence, and deep devotion to the people closest to him.

Doug was born in Portland, Oregon on October 8, 1946, to Grant and Marjorie Bell and grew up alongside his sister, Molly. During his teenage years, he worked summers at his father’s grocery store on Sandy Boulevard in NE Portland, an experience that helped shape his strong work ethic and appreciation for community.

Doug attended Grant High School before continuing his education at Lewis & Clark College, where he studied biology and later earned a master’s degree in education. One of his proudest accomplishments was walking on to the Lewis & Clark track team and contributing to the 1965 team that won the Northwest Conference Championship.

Upon graduating college, Doug began what would become a remarkable 30-year career teaching science at Centennial High School. Beyond the classroom, he spent 20 years coaching track, mentoring, and encouraging generations of student-athletes. His love of sports and competition remained a lifelong passion, whether supporting his own children’s activities, running Hood to Coast for decades, or later embracing cycling and completing Cycle Oregon.

Doug’s early adult years were filled with teaching, coaching, friendships, and an active social life. Through mutual friends, he met Margaret Gilronan, the woman who would become his wife and lifelong partner. They married in 1980 and soon built a loving family together, welcoming their three children: Keriann, Brian, and Alison.

Family and friendships were at the center of Doug’s life. After retiring at the age of 53, he spent the next 27 years fully embracing the people and hobbies he loved most. He restored many cars (from Porsches to Corvairs), enjoyed weekly breakfasts with friends (the Romeos), volunteered with Meals on Wheels, traveled on cross-country road trips, and cherished weekend camping adventures. More than anything, he treasured watching his children grow into adulthood and finding joy in the lives of his grandchildren and extended family.

Doug will be remembered as a dedicated and loving husband, father, grandfather, and friend. His kindness, consistency, and presence left a lasting impact on all who knew him.

Doug was preceded in death by his cherished son, Brian. He is survived by his wife, Margaret Bell; his daughter’s, Keriann (Michael) Hunter and Alison (Craig) Laughland; his daughter-in-law Kaitlyn Bell; his eight grandchildren; extended family members; and many lifelong friends.

Instead of flowers, do something Doug would love, get outdoors, tell a good story, eat something great, raise a beer and maybe have a second one for him.

Details for the celebration of life, including date, time, and location, will follow.