John C. Bell

(March 14, 1955 - Aug. 19, 2010)John C. Bell, 55, of Cody, died Thursday, Aug. 19, 2010, while performing the duties of his position as supervisor of Grounds/Custodial Services at Northwest College.

John was born on March 14, 1955 in Cody and remained a life-long resident of Cody. He was the first born child of Joan and Bert Bell of Cody.

During the years John attended Cody High School, he was an active member of the Buffalo Bill Cody FFA Chapter, and received the Star Green Hand Award, was a speaking contest winner at the State Convention, and served as president of the Cody FFA Chapter twice. While in high school, John worked for Coy Gail Dairies, and held other jobs as well. John worked several seasons while in high school and at the University for Crosses Sabres Ranch as a hunting guide.

John married Susan Gerrits in 1976, while they were students at the University of Wyoming. John graduated from UW in 1979 with a Bachelors of Science degree in agricultural business, and after graduating from UW, he went to work for the Farmers Home Administration as the assistant county supervisor for agriculture and home loans. Additionally, John worked for Amoco Oil in Powell, Permanent Construction in Cody and in 1984 he started his own business, Fence Masters.

John went to work for Northwest College in July 1993, and held many positions from custodian, to groundskeeper and finally supervisor of Grounds/Custodial Services.

In 1983, John married Beverly Hill of Cody, and Bev brought two children to the family, Eddee Kathleen and Kenneth Boot Hill.

John was a good husband and father and was Bev's best friend, coach and confidant.

John loved his four wonderful grandsons, who he could not see often enough.

John was a hard worker, and honest and ethical man. He believed in saying what you meant, being straight forward and never mean spirited. John's friends “totally enjoyed” his sense of humor and fast wit, and will miss him.

John's final act of kindness and concern for others was to be an organ donor, and through his gift more than 100 individuals will be helped.

John was preceded in death by his wife Susan Gerrits Bell; a son Lucas John Bell; and by grandparents on both his mother's and father's side.

John is survived by his wife, Beverly Bell; his parents, Bert and Joan Bell; a sister, Marvis Nielsen (Pete) and her son Clay; and a brother, Keith and his two daughters, Keely and Darby; all of Cody; step-daughter Eddee Kathleen Hill Hiser (Dean) of Dallas and their sons Matthew and James; step-son, Kenneth Boot Hill (Becky) of Sheridan, and their sons Kaden and Jasper.

The family invites anyone who knew John and would like to remember him to a celebration of his life on Friday, Aug. 27 at 5:30 p.m. at Hugh Smith Park in Cody. There will be companionship, stories, laughs, tears and food.

The family is working with the Northwest College Foundation to establish a memorial scholarship in John's memory.

Arrangements have been made with Ballard Funeral Home in Cody and cremation has taken place.