In Loving Memory of My Grandfather
Vernon Wesley Bell died peacefully at home surrounded by his loving family on November 4, 2002. A memorial service will be held Saturday, November 9, 2002, at 2 p.m., at First Christian Church, on the corner of Truxtun and S.Vernon was born December 10, 1927, in Keyport, New Jersey, the fifth of William and Alice Bell's eight children. He graduated from South River High School in 1945. He joined the Army Air Corps and was stationed near Ogden, Utah. It was there that he met the love of his life, Berniece Anderson, at a Memorial Day picnic in 1947. They were married January 30, 1949. After a stay in New Jersey where his first daughter, Donna was born, they moved back to Utah where his sons Bruce and Bryan were born. He attended Weber College and graduated from the University of Utah in 1954. He accepted a job at East Bakersfield High School in Bakersfield, California. There his daughters, Marcia and Nancy were born.
Vern taught English at East High for 40 years, beloved by students and staff alike. During his career as a classroom teacher, counselor, head of the English Department, director of the High Academic Potential Program, and as a mentor teacher, he was honored with many awards. After he retired in 1994, he mentored student teachers at CSUB at Bakersfield.
He was an active member of Trinity Methodist Church from 1954 to 1972. For the past thirty years, he has been a member of First Christian Church where he served as Elder, Sunday School Superintendent, and Sunday School Teacher as well as singing in the Chancel Choir.
His was a life unquestionably committed to his beloved wife, his large and loving family, his colleagues, his students and his faith--which he lived out every day of his life. His love of family included not only his children and family back in New Jersey, but also those many people he and Berniece welcomed into their home and hearts over the years. No one was a stranger to Vern. He was well loved by all who knew him for his irrepressible humor, his unflappable nature, his integrity and character, and his kindness. We will cherish all our wonderful memories of his--from his impish smile to his firm honesty, from his devotion to his wife and family to his ability to never take himself to seriously.
Vernon was preceded in death by his parents, William and Alice Bell, his brothers, Leonard, Gordon, Billy, and Wayne Bell, and his parents-in-law Srval and Maysel Anderson. He is survived by his lovin wife of nearly 54 years, Berniece Anderson Bell; his children and their spouses, Donna Bell Sanders, Bruce and Paula Bell, Bryan and Joyce Bell, Lorenz and Marcia Dauner, Mike and Nancy Raney; his grandchildren, Aaron, Zachary, and Rachel Sanders; Bryan W. Bell and his wife, Alison, Diana, and David Bell; Jaclyn Long and her husband Bob; Jennifer Bell; Michael and Andreas Dauner; Kelly, Molly, Carlly and Hayden Raney; and his great-grandchildren, Bryce, Hunter, and Taylor Long all of Bakersfield. He will also be greatly missed by his beloved sisters, Joyce Sprague and Shirley Smith and his brother Robert (Bobby) Bell all of New Jersey, as well as numerous nieces, nephews, and loving friends.