James Robert Bell Sr.

Mr. James Robert Bell Sr, age 78, of Vancleave, MS, died on Monday, June 8, 2015, in Pascagoula. Jim was a resident of Pascagoula for fifty years. He resided in Vancleave after Hurricane Katrina. He was a member of the Talons Motorcycle Club , enjoyed riding for Toys for Tots, as well as riding horses as a member of the Jackson County Sheriff's Posse. He was also an auxiliary police officer with Pascagoula. Jim was a pipefitter welder and supervisor with Ingalls Shipbuilding for over 30 years, retiring in 1991. He was an entrepreneur and owned several businesses including "A Stitch In Time Embroidery" and "Intercept Security and Answering Service." Jim was an avid boater and built a 45 foot sailboat that was known as a landmark in Pascagoula, sitting at the corner of Hester and Ingalls. Jim also was an artist and enjoyed painting and woodcarving as well as playing guitar and singing. He also enjoyed spending time in his garden and with his chickens. He was a great dad, a great friend and the best neighbor you could possibly have. He was preceded in death by his parents, James Lee Bell and Ruby Lee Westberry Bell, son, David Lee Bell and a granddaughter, Laura Lee Duncan. Survivors include two children, James Robert (Jennifer) Bell Jr. and Elizabeth Anne (Ralph) Bell and a grandson, Zachary Bell. Visitation for family and friends will be on Saturday, June 13, from 1:30pm until 2pm, with a 2pm Celebration of Life service, all at the Vancleave Chapel of Bradford O'Keefe Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers the family prefers memorial contributions be made to Toys for Tots or ones' favorite charity.