Charles Nathaniel Bell

Charles Nathaniel Bell was born November 9, 1929 to Jim Philo Bell and Elsie Benton in Wichita Kansas moving to the family farm at St John, Kansas as a small child. He grew up on the farm homesteaded by his grandfather and learned the ethics of hard work and waking up at the crack of dawn. He graduated from St. John High School in 1947. After graduating he went to Kline, Colorado to work on his Uncle Ralphs's ranch.

While working on the ranch, Charles was drafted into the U.S. Army. He joined the 101st Airborne Division and was stationed in various bases in the States for his training. Then he was sent to Nara and Kyoto, Japan as a part of the Army Counter Intelligence Corps. While half way around the world he wrote letters to his sweetheart, Billie Jean. Upon his return Charles married Billie Jean (Lee) Boyer in 1953 in Wichita, Kansas. They shared 61 wonderful years together.

He moved his family to Fort Collins in 1969 where he worked construction as a mechanic, welder and operator. He was a member of the Local #9 Union for 45 years. He worked on many projects across Colorado including Park Creek Dam; paved the road over Cameron Pass; rebuilt the roadway in the Big Thompson Canyon after the 1976 flood; Wolf Creek Pass; the building of I-70 on Vail Pass, Glenwood Canyon and Rifle area. This gave him the opportunity to explore Colorado and that is why he always called this state his home. His final project was the development of Denver International Airport, after its completion, he retired.

Charles was a past member of the I.O.O.F. Lodge, Loyal Order of Moose and camping clubs including the Family Campers and RVers and the Roving Moose Camping Club. He and his wife did volunteer work with SAINTS for 12 years providing transportation for senior citizens in the Fort Collins area.

Charles and Billie enjoyed camping, travelling in their motorhome all across the United States and Canada. They loved seeing the back roads of America – and explored 47 of the lower states as well as trips into Canada and Mexico.

In the last years, Charles health began to decline. He had a wonderful group of doctors who cared for him, this includes Dr. Stacie Fritzler, Dr. Anne Kinard, Dr. Miho Scott, Dr. Michael Thakor, and all the staff at the Cancer Center of Poudre Valley Hospital. His final days were at Pathways Hospice of Larimer County who helped be at rest during his final days. He went home to the Lord February 13, 2015. Our family is grateful for the loving care that he received from all of these wonderful people. Charles will be buried at Grandview Cemetery in Fort Collins at a private family ceremony.

Charles leaves behind his wife, Billie Jean and four children: Janette Turner (Steven), Martin Bell, Clinton Bell (Merry) and DeAnna Pratt (Tye); 9 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren. He is survived by eight brothers and sisters including Gertrude Siefert; Alice Green, Jesse Bell, Dorothy Barney, Mildred Ebie, Bob Bell, Jessamine Meseroll, and George Bell.
In lieu of flowers please give a gift to the Cancer Center of Poudre Valley Hospital or PathwaysHospice of Larimer County in Charles' name.