Rex Edgar Bell

100 years ago, on December 1, 1914, Rex Edgar Bell was born in tiny Keldron, South Dakota. 100 years and 12 days later, after spending most of his life in Yakima, he passed away peacefully at his home on December 13, 2014.

As a young adult he worked various jobs including Snyders Bakery and Valley Evaporating Company. He later was able to operate a 99 acre ranch that his parents owned. When that was sold he was hired to work for the Yakima County Highway Department building bridges for 24 years. He helped build many bridges all over Yakima County.

Rex’s passions were his wife Mildred, his family, and his faith. In the mid 1930’s Rex had a great friend and fellow co-worker Ernie Anderson, who migrated to Yakima from Arlington, SD. Soon Ernie returned to Arlington to bring his sister out to Washington to visit friends... Rex and Millie were married September 14, 1938 in Evangelical United Brethren Church, the church they loved and served in for the rest of their lives. Rex and Millie raised 5 children in a home that chose to serve God and provided the example for the best way to live life.

Rex’s character of kindness and thankfulness in all things was the foundation of who he was. One of his favorite verses was the same number as the year he was born; Psalms 19:14 “Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord my strength and my redeemer”

He will be missed by all who knew him.

He is preceded in death by his wife Mildred; and two brothers, Vernon Bell and Rev. Keith Bell.

Rex is survived by his son Rodney and Lois Bell of Bremerton, daughter Beverly and Brad Rider of Grandview, son Curtis and Annie Bell of Yakima, son Lorin and Patricia Bell of Clatskanie, OR, and daughter Lorraine and Mark Epperson of Yakima; sisters Kathryn Gillen and Lois Gimmaka; grandchildren Jennifer Brembah, John Bell, Jenette Jenkins, Shirley Comstock, David Rider, Katie Rider, Curtis Bell Jr., Kevin Bell, Jolene Hartill, Jared Bell, Pauline Allen and Lori Terry; and 20 great grandchildren.

Viewing will be Thursday and Friday, December 18th and 19th from 4:00-8:00 p.m. at Langevin El Paraiso Funeral Home.

Graveside Services will be Saturday, December 20, 2014, at 11:00 a.m. at West Hills Memorial Park followed by a Memorial Service at Noon at Yakima Evangelical Church, 7901 W. Nob Hill Blvd.

Memorials may be made to the Union Gospel Mission or to the Yakima Evangelical Church c/o Langevin El Paraiso Funeral Home.

To celebrate the life of Rex and share a memory, visit www.lepfuneralhome.com.