Larry "L.Bell" Bell

Larry R. Bell, age 78 of Cobden, died at 4:24 a.m. Saturday, January 20, 2018 at his home. He was born November 27, 1939 in Monticello, KY, the son of Glen C. and Thelma (Kinnett) Bell. He married Donna Roberts on June 17, 1961 in Carmi. Larry is survived by his loving wife of fifty-six years, Donna Bell of Cobden; three daughters, Carla (Dave) Smith of Rochester, Kathy (Grant) Capel of Anna, and Karen (Brad) White of Cobden; seven grandchildren, Laura (Luke) Fleisher, Ethan (Hope) Smith, Jonathan Smith, Lauren (Alex) Siegfried, Olivia Capel, Emily and Grace White; five great-grandchildren, Ari, Finnegan, Bingham, and Vera Fleisher and Logan Siegfried; brother, Bruce Bell of Anna; other relatives and many friends. He was preceded in death by his parents and sister-in-law, Jill Bell. Larry was a member of the Church of Christ. In Carmi he was active with the youth. He was an avid competitor during his high school years at Carmi Township High School and at Morganfield, Kentucky. Larry was an exceptional athlete in basketball, baseball and football, receiving several awards and honors. As a teenager, he developed interest in creating Bradshaw Park for the youth to have a place to play baseball in that neighborhood.He received his Bachelors of Science in Education from SIU Carbondale and completed graduate coursework for a Masters Degree. He taught school for several years at AJCHS before serving as an IEA UniServ Director for seventeen years before retiring. Larry was a dedicated advocate for teachers, public education and collective bargaining. He was also a dedicated teacher and coach, leading the 1974 A-J Wildcat Baseball team to State. He loved being a part of the coaching staff for the traveling girls softball team, Southern Express. His teams often referred to him as "L. Bell." Before retirement, Larry participated in many Civil War re-enactments and living history events. After retirement he spent many hours working in his vegetable garden, coaching, fishing, taking photographs, researching family history, listening to music, traveling and BBQ competitions. His favorite activities were with his grandchildren. Larry was attentive to those that seemed to have challenges or obstacles in their way and did all he could to help them reach their potential. The family will receive friends after 11:30 Saturday, January 27, 2018 in the Alto Pass Community Center to celebrate Larry's life. Larry supported the UNICEF USA: K.I.N.D. Desk and Scholarships Project to provide desks for students who otherwise wouldn't have them and scholarships for girls in Malawi. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the desk charity or another charity of choice.