Eddie Bell Jr.

Eddie Bell Jr., affectionately known as “Gramps” went home peacefully into the arms of our lord and savior Jesus Christ on Saturday, February 14, 2015 at Nathan Adelson Hospice with his loving daughter by his side. Open hearts and arms greeted him in Heaven, on the day that we here on Earth celebrate love.

Eddie was born March 16, 1942 to Eddie Bell Sr. and Lousia “Lucille” Price Bell in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. In 1953 the family came to Las Vegas, he was ten years old when they arrived. Eddie attended the Historic Westside School and later Rancho High School where he was a star basketball player. A basketball injury required Eddie’s leg to be amputated below the knee in his late teens. Although that dashed the dreams of a determined young man, Eddie did not allow that little setback to shape his life.

Eddie overcame a lot of adversities in life, and lived to show that with will and determination life is worth living. Eddie was a quiet and gentle spirit. He loved to fish and travel; he also loved to watch basketball and football games, and placing an occasional bet now and then. Eddie was an excellent cook, he made the BEST Gumbo in the world. Eddie was passionate about everything he did in life. Eddie was also well versed on many subjects, and cherished his personal relationship with the Lord.

Eddie was a member of the Culinary Union, Local 226. He worked at Foxy’s Restaurant and Deli on the corner of Las Vegas Boulevard and Sahara for many years. After Foxy’s Eddie began working for the State of Nevada as Mental Health Technician Supervisor at the Jones Campus of Desert Regional Center. Once again Eddie showed compassion and dedication to his work. He retired after 32 long years of service in July 2014.

Eddie was greeted in heaven by his Mother Lucille “Dear” Bell, his father Eddie Bell Sr., his brothers Barnell Bell, Charles “Dougie” Bell, Michael Bell, Donald Ricky Bell, sisters Saundra Ann “Koot” Bell, Karen Denise Bell, and his grandson Kimarrio Re’Jean “Pooh” Hoye.

Although we will all miss him dearly, he leaves to cherish his memory, his daughter April Kiper, step daughter Joyce (Scott) Nilsen; grandsons, Carlin Delon Kiper and Corey Dennis; granddaughters, Candace Yishay “Bunny” Hoye and Camille Deshee’ Hoye, Kimberlynn Dennis, Corine Dennis, and Kira Nilsen. Sisters Betty Jean Thornton of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Darrylynn Bell, and Lanita Flores of Las Vegas, Nevada; a host of cousins, nieces, nephews, great-grandchildren and friends.