James Arthur Bell Sr.

On the morning of Tuesday January 28, 2020, James Bell passed away at his home in Norfolk, VA at the age of 77 after a vigilant battle with cancer. Born October 9, 1942 in Mankato, Kansas and later graduated high school before he enlisted in the United States Navy in 1960. Jim served at multiple stations as a Storekeeper, which included the USS Sylvania, USS Tanner, 32nd Naval Construction Regiment (SEABEES), Atlantic Fleet Weapons Range, USS Leahy, and multiple other duty assignments. James Bell retired from the U.S. Navy after 22 years of service while assigned to the USS Dewey in 1982. His awards and decorations include the Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation, Good Conduct Medal, National Defense, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal Ribbon, Vietnam Service Medal, Navy Sea Service Deployment Ribbon, and the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal. Although Jim retired from the Navy, he continued to serve his country as a Civil Service Employee at Norfolk Naval Base and Oceana Air Station for more than 30 years totaling over 50 years of naval service. Jim was a soft-spoken man that enjoyed the little things in life; for example, reading the Saturday newspaper in the morning before the house would wake up, or a classic Western on the television. He would often sit on the front porch with friends and family talking about the weather, old stories, and even telling a good joke. During a recent visit with his two sons, he sat on the porch where he told stories that not only embarrassed his two sons…yes those colorful childhood stories that we all have, but those same stories that will bring a smile to our faces and remembered for years to come as a welcomed memory. James Bell was preceded in death in 2015 by his wife Maria of 38 years but is survived by his two sons James and Victor Bell. James and Victor humbly request that donations be made in honor of their father to the National Cancer Society mosaic page located at http://main.acsevents.org/goto/James_A_Bell.