Newspaper article about my Papa

Here is a picture I just got from my cousin of my grandfather during his time as a pilot in WWII. I love it.

A reporter for the San Gabriel Valley tribune saw my grandfather's obituary in the paper. She thought to herself, "I've got to do a story on this man." So she contacted my dad and his sisters. Of course, a lot of stuff is left out, but it's a pretty good summary. There is one funny thing about this story, though. My dad loves Dan Fogelberg (total 70's music artist) and the song, "Leader of the Band". It's about a dad and his sons and music. My dad loved the song and the words reminded him of his dad. Anyway, my dad talked about that song in the interview and the reporter botched it and titled the song as, "Leader of the Pack"!!! You all know that song right? Can you hear the engines revving? That motorcycle-biker song, right?! Isn't that hilarious!?

Here is a copy of the article:

He flew bombers in World War II, spent 20 years recording math books for the blind and gave his wife a kiss the first thing when he got home from work.

A man who loved God, his country, his job and his family, Max Daniel Bell of Covina died July 20 at the age of 86.

Born in Muldoon, Texas, Bell joined the military and flew more than 70 missions as a B-25 pilot during World War II.

"He was very reluctant to talk about his service in the war," said his son Dan Bell, 55. "He didn't want the spotlight to be on him, because it was about his country."

Whenever the family went on vacation, he made sure they stopped at national historic landmarks, she said.

He loved his country.

"I was grateful he taught us ... to be patriotic," said 59-year-old Susan Germany of her father.
"He encouraged me to be my best and showed he was proud of me," said Germany. "I wanted to do my best for him."

Bell started his educational career as a math teacher and later became the deputy superintendent for administration at Mt. San Antonio College in Walnut.

Because of his love for math, he spent 20 years recording math textbooks for the blind.

He was also involved with the Meals on Wheels program, a member and chairman for the Covina Lions Club for 40 years, serving one term as president.

Home life for the Bell family was a pleasant one with a loving-and-hard-working father and a stay-at-home mother.

"We were really lucky," Germany said. "We grew up in a wonderful home. He was a great father he did a lot of things with his family."

The song "Leader of the Pack" reminds son Dan Bell of his father. "That's kinda the way dad was - `thundering velvet hand' (lyrics from the song)," said Dan Bell.

"He expected us to do well, try hard, not screw around, mess up or get in trouble," Dan Bell said.

"He had a velvet touch. Dad was very intelligent and wanted us to excel in our chosen fields."

He established a scholarship fund for his 21 grandchildren.

Bell was a respected man who set a precedent for the people around him and still had a sense of humor, family members said. "I remember he could be very serious, but he was also at times the life of the party," said Germany.

Bell was an honest man, consistent in his values, and served as an example to his children in the way he volunteered and served his community, they said. "His family was religious and he caught on, he was determined to live a Christian life," said Dan Bell.

"We remember as kids, he came home from work every day at the same time and went through the kitchen and kissed my mom. But Thursday night he went to choir at church."

Helen Bell, his wife, preceded him in death. He is also survived by daughter DeAnne Anderson, 21 grandchildren and 23 great-grandchildren.

http://www.sgvtribune.com/rds_search/ci_12975939

Now here are some verses to the song, "Leader of the Band." My dad saw my papa as the "Leader of the Band." It makes me cry now thinking about my dad and my grandpa. Such true words.

I thank you for the music
And your stories of the road
I thank you for the freedom
When it came my time to go --
I thank you for the kindness
And the times when you got tough
And, papa, I dont think I Said
I love you near enough --

The leader of the band is tired
And his eyes are growing old
But his blood runs through
My instrument
And his song is in my soul --
My life has been a poor attempt
To imitate the man
Im just a living legacy
To the leader of the band.

In Memory: Max Daniel Bell

My dear, sweet Papa passed away last week on July 20, 2009. His passing comes only 6 months after my sweet grandmother died in January. He died peacefully, in his sleep. We traveled out to California last week for his funeral. It was at his Baptist church, where he had attended for more than 40 years. His funeral was very, very nice...a beautiful service. He had sung in the choir in his church for 40 years. I'm sure that is where my love of singing in a choir comes from. His pastor who had known him for 35 years said that he was the last suit-wearing member of his congregation.

None of the men pictured here are my grandfather, but I thought this was a great picture of the plane he flew in WWII-- a B-25 bomber named, "Miss Mitchell".

Here is Makenna playing "Peas, Porridge, Hot" with Papa. Every single one of the grand kids new this little hand-game....a sort of patty-cake. All of the great-grand kids know it, too.


Here is little Jaxson with Papa. Jaxson is named after Papa's family.

Here we are with Papa the last time we saw him alive in May. He was frail, but still very sharp and wanted to talk a lot about his life. We learned of his tour of Egypt and Paris when he was in the Air Force. We talked about his siblings and my dad when he was a kid. It was a wonderful visit, but I saw how much he missed my grandma. He was in the hospital when she passed away and he was not well enough to attend her funeral. It was so sad. Then, he was moved from the hospital to a home close to my Aunt in Ventura-- about 1 1/2 hours from his home. So he didn't get to say good-bye to anyone. It was very hard on him. I know now that he is reunited with my grandmother and that he is learning in the Spirit World. I am so thankful for the plan of Salvation, for the gospel that unites families. I am so thankful to have had 4 grandparents in my life to love me and support me and be my biggest fans. I realize how uncommon that is and count myself very blessed to have such great influences in my life. We will miss them, but know where they are and that we will see them again!

In Loving Memory of my Grandma

Helen Morris Bell 1923 - 2009

This post is in memory of my grandma, Helen Morris Bell. She passed away Saturday, January 17th. My grandma was an amazing woman. She lived a long, fulfilling life that was full of love. These are some things that I remember and love about my Grandma:

Her sweet hugs
Christmas at her house when we were little-- I got my 3rd Cabbage Patch doll there-- a boy!
The way her grass (California grass) was different than Utah grass
The green cuckoo clock in her kitchen and the green hanging lamp in her living room.
The roses in her yard and the impeccable-ness of her yard
Her 'pink' bathroom and the 'jewels' on the back splash in her tub
The shag carpet in her bedrooms
The way she would ooohh and sigh hard, after a good laugh
Bubble gum in her purse every time she came to visit
Crossword puzzles- she loved them! I inherited this love of doing crossword puzzles from her and have a book with me every time we take a road trip
Her roast dinners every Sunday we were there to visit
Her being so proud every time we went to church with her when we came to visit
Her handwriting and her letters-- she always made cute little smiley faces
Her voice; and her saying, "Bye-bye sweetie" when we would leave.
Her and my Papa standing on the porch waving to us as we would drive away

A picture of my mom and grandma at my grandma and papa's 60th wedding anniversary


Makenna playing "Peas Porridge Hot" with my papa

My grandma was diagnosed with terminal cancer the second week in December. The doctors kept changing their minds about how long they thought she had, and they finally said 1-2 months. My dad immediately went out to CA and stayed with her. While she was out there she decided that she didn't want to do chemo. She didn't want to be sick the last months of he life from chemo and she had made peace with her plot and wanted to live the best she could with the time she had left, and get ready for the next step in her life. Over the weeks that followed, she had good and bad days, as to be expected. We decided to go out to see her the week after Christmas. It was a last minute decision, but I am so glad we went. My grandma was happy to see us and alert and we still herself. She was funny! She's always had such a great sense of humor and been very witty. She was just like that when we were there. My brother Rob, always teases her about being his favorite grandson, because he looks a lot like her brother. He was there, while we were there and she said, "Yes, that Morris line sure does have some good genes. They're all so handsome!" Then she looked over at Brett and said, "I'm sorry you didn't get any of those Morris genes." It was so funny. Then as we were leaving she looked at me and said, "You've always been such a beautiful girl; you look just like your grandma." At this time I was pretty teary, so I didn't laugh very hard. She took me by the shoulders and asked, "Did you get that?" Just to make sure I got the joke. It was so good to say good bye and tell her how much we loved her. She was so sweet with the kids. She waned to kiss them and touch their hair and faces. What a sweet time.

A week after we had visited she passed away. So, one week after her death, we drove back out to CA. The 2nd time in 2 weeks. The kids did great-- they love road trips. All we need is a little Harry Potter and they're good to go. Brett's brother gave him all the HP books on CD, so that is what we listen to and the kids love it.

The funeral was beautiful; hard, but so wonderful. The spirit was there and we were all comforted and so grateful to know of His plan. My poor papa was not able to attend the funeral. The first time we were there to visit my grandma before she died, he had 2 heart attacks within 5 days. They diagnosed him with congestive heart failure. He was not well enough to come. He was heartbroken. The night before the funeral my dad and his sisters were there. He became very emotional while talking about what was going to be said and done at the funeral and then said, "You tell them we had a wonderful love affair." Isn't that just so sweet? They had known each other since the 3rd grade....known each other for about 75 years of their lives! Can you imagine?

Papa had an angioplasty (his choice) this morning and did better than expected. He is still not out of the woods and we'll have to see what the coming days and weeks bring.

I wanted to thank all my friends and family for being so supportive and concerned during this time. I will miss my grandma. All 4 of my grandparents have been such a huge part of my life and I count myself blessed that they have been in my life for this long time.