James Robert Bell, 77, Stover, Missouri, formerly of Kansas City, Kansas passed away November 20, 2019. A gathering of family and friends will be from 6-8 PM, Friday, November 29, 2019 at Village West Family Church in Kansas City, Kansas. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to the family where those funds will be donated to Locust Baptist Church, Stover, Missouri.
James was born July 21, 1942 in Eugene, Oregon to Ollie Dayton and Lillie Ann (White) Bell, the youngest of 11 children. James moved with his family to the Kansas City area when he was a child. He graduated from Turner High School in 1960 and enlisted in the United States Army in 1963 where he served our country as a Communications Specialist in Turkey.
James met Rita Killingsworth in 1962 and they were married in 1963, welcoming two daughters together. They made their home in Kansas City where James worked for Lucent Technologies as a repairman, where he also represented Union CWA. James retired from there in 1993 and quickly moved to Lake of the Ozarks to enjoy retirement.
During retirement, James worked for Quality in Versailles, MO, which helped those less fortunate. James always said it was the best job he ever had. In his spare time, James enjoyed fishing and spending time with his family.
James was preceded in passing by his parents; 6 sisters; and 4 brothers.
Survivors include his wife of 56 years, Rita; daughters, Deborah Bell Spence and her husband, Edward and Christine Bell; and grandchildren, Curtis James Bell and his wife, Rebecca, Matthew Edward Spence, and Olivia Christine Bell.
