Elijah Alan Bell

Elijah "Tex" Bell was born on January 5, 1932, in Trinity, Texas, to Elijah Bell and Willie Eleanor Allen Bell. He entered his eternal home peacefully on Thursday, July 7, 2022, surrounded by his family. He was preceded in death by his wife of 52 years, MaryEllen Eckhoff Bell, on January 5, 2005, his parents and eight siblings. He leaves behind four children--Randal Bell of San Antonio TX, Brenda (James) Kurth of Bulverde TX, Melody (Todd) Henegar of Thomasboro IL, and Steven Bell of Adkins TX; seven grandchildren--Eric (Amber) Bell, Kristin (Ezekiel) Valdez, Stephanie Buchhorn, Dana (Nicholas) Martin, Ryan (Ashley) Bell, Kyle (Maddie) Henegar, Jason (Mandy) Kurth and thirteen great grandchildren. Also surviving is one sister, Betty Ann Lapatka of Parrotsville, Tennessee.

After graduating from Trinity High School in 1949, Tex enlisted in the United States Air Force and served his country during the Korean War from 1949 to 1953. During his tenure, he was stationed at Sheppard Air Force Base, Wichita Falls, Texas, and then Chanute Air Force Base, Rantoul, Illinois. After an Honorable Discharge, he continued his service as a civilian with the Department of Defense for 42 years.

He met his wife, MaryEllen, while stationed at Chanute Air Force Base, and they were married on August 2, 1952, in Paxton, Illinois.

Tex and MaryEllen relocated to Texas, where he enrolled in Sam Houston State University, Huntsville, Texas. During that time, he and MaryEllen had three children, Randal, Brenda and Melody. They returned to Paxton in November 1958, where he continued his civil service career at Chanute Air Force Base. In 1960, they welcomed their fourth child, Steven. In 1983, the family moved back to Texas, where he retired from Randolph Air Force Base, Universal City, Texas in 1996.

He was always ready to learn and indulged in several interests: he attended and graduated with Honors in Accounting from the University of Illinois, Champaign-Urbana, Illinois. He served the Paxton community as Alderman, was a Mayoral Candidate, and Head of Civil Defense. He received his SCUBA certification, performed search and rescue, received a locksmith certificate, was a 2nd degree blackbelt in Karate and shared his passion through teaching.

Tex never knew a stranger and enjoyed spending time with family and friends, spinning stories and playing pool at the local bar. A true cowboy at heart, he loved reading Louis Lamour novels and watching anything western. His greatest love, though, was his family. He always said: God, Family, Country, in that order, and was a member of the First Baptist Church, Universal City, Texas.

A visitation will be held at Colonial Hills Funeral Home, Universal City, Texas, from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm on July 16, 2022, with a memorial service immediately following. He will be laid to rest at Cedar Grove Cemetery in Trinity, Texas, in a private graveside service.

Masks will be required at the visitation and service.