Russell Allen Bell passed unexpectedly of sudden cardiac arrest on Wednesday, Sept. 7, 2022, at his home in Durham, N.C.
Russell was born Nov. 29, 1938, in Penrose to George Howard and Pearl (Hollister) Bell.
He graduated from high school in Eads before attending Lamar Community College.
After
several years ranching, rodeoing, and playing semi-professional
baseball, he went on to receive a BS in Agriculture Education at the
University of Missouri in 1970.
While there he met the love of his life, Sharon Shasserre. They married five months later at Sharon's family home in Cuba, Mo.
Russell
then began a 20 year career teaching Vocational Agriculture and
advising FFA students, first for two years in Anton, then for 18 years
in Goodland, Kan.
During this time, he also received a MS in Agriculture Education from Kansas State University.
Two years after moving to Goodland their daughter, Loretta, was born.
Later
Russell worked at Boogaarts Super Market and as a Correctional Officer
at the Sherman County Sheriff's office before he and Sharon relocated to
Manhattan, Kan., where Russell enjoyed retired life.
After his only
grandson was born, he and Sharon relocated once more to Durham, N.C.
where he was a kind, generous, engaged grandfather whose final eight
years of life was filled with playing baseball, soccer, basketball,
sharing his love and knowledge of woodworking, and passing wisdom to his
grandson.
Russell was an all-around craftsman but particularly loved woodworking and welding.
He had a lifelong love of learning and was an avid reader and Civil War history enthusiast.
He continued his involvement in horsemanship and love of baseball until the end of life.
Other hobbies included gardening, and membership in Kansas Masonic bodies.
Russell
is survived by his wife Sharon Bell of the home; daughter Loretta
(Kirk) Pappan of Rougemont, N.C.; grandson Brook Pappan of Rougemont,
N.C.
He is also survived by sister Ida (Donna) Houston (Bill) of
Columbia, Mo., sisters-in-law Michelle (Matt) Hughes of St. Clair, Mo.
and Marsha Shasserre of Chamois, Mo., brother-in-law Paul (Debbie)
Shasserre of Cuba, Mo. and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.
He
is preceded in death by infant son Paul from his first marriage, parents
George Howard and Pearl Bell, parents-in-law Frank and Georgetta
(Kamler) Shasserre and brother-in-law Thomas Shasserre.