Dr. Jack A. Bell, Sr.

Jack Alex Bell Sr., D.D.S. passed away on Wednesday, July 15, 2015.

Dr. Bell was born on June 17, 1921 in Marianna, Florida. During World War II, he served in the U.S. Navy as a flight engineer aboard the seaplane tender, USS Norton Sound AV-11. After the war, he married Lala Maxine Sharpless. As a 1949 graduate of Florida State University, he entered Emory University School of Dentistry in 1950 where he received his degree in 1954. After graduating, Dr. Bell became the third dentist to establish his practice in the then relatively new town of Warner Robins.

Dr. Bell was very active in the Warner Robins community as a life member of the Noon Optimist Club and former president of the Warner Robins Chamber of Commerce. Under his leadership, the first Chamber building was constructed. The Warner Robins Civitan Club named him Citizen of the Year. Dr. Bell served on the advisory board of the first Houston County technical school and on the board of the United Givers Fund (United Way). He was past president of the Warner Robins Touchdown Club. During his tenure as Exalted Ruler of the Warner Robins Elks Club, he oversaw the construction of the first lodge building. Dr. Bell was also a member of the Tyrian Lodge No 111 F&AM Scottish Rite of Freemasonry.

Professionally, he practiced dentistry for 32 years which began a legacy that has expanded across three generations. He was an active and lifetime member of the American Dental Association, Georgia Dental Association, and Central District Dental Society.

In his leisure time, he enjoyed woodworking. As an active member of the Houston County Carving Club, he won numerous awards at the Georgia National Fair. For many years, Dr. Bell was an Amateur Radio operator, WB4CWL and enjoyed contacting other radio operators all over the world. He was an accomplished aerobatic pilot, having been coached by Georgia Aviation Hall of Fame inductee, Gordon Bella. Fascinated with the post WWII development of the city of Warner Robins, Dr. Bell became an expert on the subject and amassed a collection of photos and documents that have been donated and contributed to the history of Warner Robins.

He was longtime member of the First United Methodist Church of Warner Robins, having served on the Official Board and on the building committee when the current sanctuary was constructed from 1966-1967. For the past 7 years, Dr. Bell has continued to serve his community by volunteering at the Warner Robins Methodist Food Pantry. Through this mission, he found joy in giving handmade wooden cars to hundreds of children that passed through the Food Pantry doors.

Preceding Dr. Bell in death are his loving wife of 62 years Lala Maxine, his parents, Roger and Loree, and his brothers and sisters.

He is survived by his son Dr. J. Alex Bell, Jr. (Sandy) of Warner Robins and daughter Pamela Bell Hunter (David) of Pt. Clear, Alabama. He is also blessed with seven grandchildren, six great-grandchildren, and his faithful canine companion, Bear.

The family would like to thank all of his wonderful caregivers and friends for their loving support these past few weeks.

Visitation will Saturday, July 18, 2015 from 2:00 p.m. until 3:00 p.m. at First United Methodist Church. Funeral services will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, July 18, 2015 at First United Methodist Church. Afterwards, Dr. Bell will be laid to rest in Magnolia Park Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be given in memory of Dr. Jack A. Bell, Sr. to The Warner Robins Methodist Food Pantry (please make check to First United Methodist Church and include Food Pantry in the memo line), 205 N. Davis Drive, Warner Robins, GA 31088 or Heart of Georgia Hospice, 103 Westridge Drive, Warner Robins, GA 31088.


Funeral Home:
McCullough Funeral Home
417 S. Houston Lake Rd.
Warner Robins, GA
US 31088