Edwin Augustus Bell Sr.

Edwin Augustus Bell Sr 89, of Lake Charles passed away on December 29, 2020 after braving a chronic medical condition. He was born in Shreveport, LA in 1931 to the late Mary and Darl B. Bell, Sr. He spent his childhood in Dry Prong, LA until moving to Lake Charles in 1952 after his graduation from Louisiana Tech. While at Tech he earned dual degrees in Agricultural Engineering and Civil Engineering, graduating at 21 years of age.

After college he served in the army during the Korean War. He was selected to work at the Pentagon under the direction of the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staffs, Nathan F. Twining. Edwin had a classified clearance and ate lunch at The White House on many occasions. General Twining tried to persuade him to reenlist and study at MIT in order to become knowledgeable of nuclear physics, and then to return to Washington and teach it at the pentagon. Edwin declined, came home to his family and began his career as a self-employed entrepreneur in various businesses while he maintained his day job as an engineer at Cities Service Oil Refinery. Most businesses he began were related to the protection of the environment. He was a pioneer in this field in the early 1970’s. He designed and received eleven patents on numerous types of equipment and procedures to conserve and modify the treatment of the environment.

His first patent was for an oil skimmer that would remove oil from the surface of water. This was the in beginning of his career. His only means to demonstrate the effectiveness of his invention that he had designed and built was to pour oil into his personal swimming pool. His confidence was well founded as he received the patent, and the pool had no remnants of oil after the demonstration.

Edwin was passionate about anything he pursued in life whether it was piloting airplanes, building airplanes, designing and building swimming pools, or sharing with his children and grandchildren his wealth of knowledge about business and the importance of an education. As his granddaughter, Hannah, said so well “the storyteller of the most intriguing life journeys…the establisher of all nicknames…the pilot that used his front yard for a runway…the driver of a 4-wheel drive Lincoln Town Car…the wearer of a black hat…the intelligent and creative businessman…the man captured by Nigerian tribes and somehow made friends with them…the patriarch of our family…loved by all”. Carly, another granddaughter, said “my stubbornness and my hunger for knowledge are only a few of the things I can thank him for. He was a larger – than – life man in every sense of the word”.

Edwin was preceded in death by the mother of his children, Emily Petitjean and his grandson, Shannon Haese. He will always live on in the hearts of his children Miggie Haese (Roger), Ruth McFatter (Max), Matt Bell (Sarah), Thelice Bell (Louis Stevens), Gus Bell (Mary), Dede Bell and his brother Bobby Bell (Edwina). His grandchildren were always a huge part of his life. They are Dustin Haese, Mike Haese, Hunter Haese, Andrea Carmen, Max McFatter III, Carly Bell, Cooper Bell, Hannah Grogan, Bo Chapman, Wesley Chapman, Will Bell, Mary Amanda Bell, Erika Wilken, Aaron Broussard, and Autumn Wood. In addition, he leaves 23 great grandchildren and 4 great great grandchildren.

He was an amazing man with an incredibly interesting life. The family would like to thank Mashayla DeJean for her invaluable care and love that she showed him. There will be a private graveside service.

Words of comfort may be shared with the family at www.hixsonfuneralhomes.com.