Donald Leroy "Don" Bell

DONALD (PAPA) BELL was born July 3, 1909 on the Bell family farm in McClelland, Iowa. He was the 4th child of Joshua and Anna Bell. He was the last remaining family member. Don moved his family to Roseburg, Oregon in 1946. He started working at Lockwood Ford, and later became their Service Manager. Don retired from Lockwood Ford after 35 years and then helped set up the Automotive Department at Umpqua Community College and helped place students in jobs for OJT. After that he read the weather at the Roseburg Airport. He loved doing the weather and working with all the pilots at Roseburg Skyways, Western Wings, UPS and Fed Ex. Don was replaced by the computerized weather station at the airport. He was 92 when he really retired. Don was always ready to work. He was a Charter Member of the West Side Umpqua Lions. He loved selling hot dogs at the ballpark! Don passed away peacefully at his daughter and son-in-laws home which was his home for the last 10 years. He had a rich and full life with loved ones and friends. Don was an avid golfer with 3 holes in ones. Survivors include his daughter Nancy Bell Snyder and her husband Roger; grandchildren Lance Drake and wife Sara, Mitch Drake and wife Lynda, Catherine Levison and husband Michael, Kelley Ramsey and husband Thom, Deanna Goddard and husband Mike, Jennifer Lovely and husband Mike; great grandchildren Jessica, Amanda, Kelsey, Rachel, Vance, Renda, Dylan, Mary, Darby, Billy, Patrick and Cathy; great great grandchildren Jullian, Ciel and Markus; nieces and nephews Robert Drake and wife Mary, Don Hiney and wife Lynda, John McCauley and wife Eleanor and Warren Bell and many dear friends who he loved dearly. Don was preceded in death by his wife of 72 years Irene Bell and son William Drake. The family would like to extend a special thank you to his caregivers Carol Limley, Brenda Cooper, Kay and Mark Jessen, Amedisys' Tony and Cary. You all are wonderful caring people. Memorial services will be held Saturday, April 5, 2014 at 12:00 noon at First Christian Church. Minister David Van Wormer will officiate. Private interment will be held within the grounds of Roseburg Memorial Gardens. In lieu of flowers the family requests that contributions be made to the First Christian Church who opened their doors to us.