Jesse William Bell

We lost our beloved Jesse on February 5, 2015, passing away peacefully in his sleep. Born on September 13, 1931 to Grover and Flossie Bell, Jesse grew up in Rocky Mount, North Carolina. He married Louise on November 27, 1958 and they shared a happy life together for 45 years until her death in 2003. Jesse joined the Air Force where he honorably served our country for thirty years, retiring as a Chief Master Sergeant. While in the Air Force, Jesse was stationed all around the world, including at Air Force Bases in Puerto Rico, Taiwan, and Great Britain. After his distinguished service, he joined the U.S. Postal Service and delivered mail for another eleven years before he retired for good. Those who knew him in the Air Force called him “Chief,” but to his friends in his senior community he’ll simply be remembered as “Jesse,” the mischievous fellow with a bag of nickels who was always up for a game of poker. To his grandsons he’ll be remembered as “Grandpa Bell” who owned as many baseball caps as they had teams. To his only son Kevin he was “Dad” and he will be missed more than words can express. Jesse is survived by his son Kevin, his daughter-in-law Jana, grandsons Ryan, Andrew and Matthew, and his sweetheart Elisa Tamayo, with whom he shared a deep love for the last year of his life. He is also survived by his extended family of cousins, nieces and nephews in North Carolina and his many friends at Brookdale Emeritus. Family and friends are invited to a visitation from 11am – 1pm at Nicoletti, Culjis & Herberger Funeral Home, 5401 Folsom Blvd in Sacramento; with a Celebration of Life following at 2pm, on Monday, February 9th. In lieu of flowers the family requests donations in Jesse’s memory to the UC Davis Vascular Center or an organization that supports veterans’ services.