L’Roy Olman Bell Sr.
L’Roy Olman Bell Sr. passed this life peacefully at his home in Port O’Connor early Saturday morning, January 18, 2014. He was born October 20, 1920 in Boswell, Oklahoma and was raised by his late grandparents, Ivan and Sallie Bell. He was 93 years old. While stationed on Matagorda Island he met and married his wife of 66 years, Betty Josephine Hawes who preceded him in death February 26, 2009. They were married December 24, 1942 at Foster Field in Victoria.
Growing up on the farm he helped raise turkeys and pick cotton. One of his childhood memories was teaching three cats to stand on their hind legs so he could squirt milk from the cow he was milking into their mouths. A photo of this feat was sent to Ripley’s Believe It or Not.
Even as a young child, he had a fascination with airplanes. His teachers were shocked when upon hearing an airplane he would run out the door or climb out a window so he could watch it fly over. “One day I’m going to fly a plane,” was his explanation to his teachers. At 17 he enlisted in the military so he could make this dream a reality. After logging many hours, he took his last flight at 91.
Life in the military moved his family 24 places around Europe and the United States. Upon retiring from the Air Force in 1961, his family made their home in Port O’Connor. He always had a plane so that he and Betty could fly to Matagorda Island and beach comb. A special interest was old bottles. If Betty didn’t go his dog would be the co-pilot. It wasn’t long before the dog would refuse to give up his front seat.
He had several business endeavors, but the most rewarding was helping his youngest son start Shoalwater Marine. The business was begun in their garage producing only three boats a year. As his health declined he enjoyed talking about flying, telling about his childhood in Oklahoma, and riding his golf cart around town.
He is survived by two sons, L’Roy Bell and wife Liz, and Steve Bell and Susan Hudler; two daughters, Lynne Hearn and Shotsie Thumann all of Port O’Connor; seven grandchildren, Lisa Coursey, Matthew White, Denise Sandy, Stanley, and Brian Thumann, Sabrina, and David Bell; and 11 great-grandchildren, Megan and Kaddie Sandy, Jessi, Jacob, and Hannah Hernandez, Kolt Leiker, Jeremy and Sam Thumann, Bryce and Dalton Sandy, and Adie Hawley. He was preceded in death by his wife Betty; grandson, Stevie Bell and great-grandson, Robbie Dendy.
Graveside services were held at 11 am on Tuesday, January 21, 2014 at the Port O’Connor Cemetery with full Military Honors performed by the Calhoun County Joint Honor Guard.
The family of L’Roy Bell would like to give a special thanks to Hospice of South Texas and asks that any memorial donations be made to Hospice of South Texas at 605 E. Locust, Victoria, TX 77901.
