James Arthur Bell, Jr

MR. JAMES ARTHUR BELL, JR. son of James Arthur Bell Sr. and Ida Bell was born on November 29, 1942 in Allensville, Kentucky. He was the first male and the third child born into this family. JAMES was preceded in death by his parents. At an early age, JAMES professed his belief in the Lord Jesus Christ and was baptized at Greater St. Mark Baptist Church in Indianapolis, Indiana.

JAMES attended John Hope Elementary School #26 and Arsenal Technical High School in Indianapolis. JAMES joined the U.S. Army on February 13, 1963 and received an Honorable Discharge on February 12, 1965. JAMES spent a good portion of his time in service in St. Nazaire, France. JAMES favorite job was working in the commissary because he loved talking and serving people. JAMES loved to talk!

JAMES loved interacting with people and serving people. He was appointed to the Indianapolis Fire Department on August 10, 1966 and he retired from the department on May 6, 1991 after almost 25 years of dedicated service. He loved being an Indianapolis Firefighter and enjoyed the camaraderie among his fellow firefighters at IFD Station #14 located at 30th & Kenwood. JAMES IFD nickname was, “Campy.” If you were in the car with JAMES when a fire truck rushed by, all of a sudden your plans changed because JAMES immediately started chasing the fire truck. Once at the scene of the fire, JAMES would go over and casually talk to the firefighters about the fire.

After his retirement from IFD, JAMES started working as a security guard at St. Vincent’s Hospital on West 86th Street. JAMES loved this job too because he had an opportunity to interact and serve people in many ways.

After he left St Vincent’s Hospital, he started working for Perry Township as a school bus driver. JAMES loved that job too. JAMES loved the kids, the supervisors, bus monitors, school administrators, and JAMES established a good working relationship with his fellow bus drivers. As long as JAMES was interacting with people, he was happy.

After retiring from Perry Township as a bus driver, JAMES spent a lot of time with the “White Castle Breakfast Gang” at the White Castle’s on 86th & Michigan Road. On Wednesday, JAMES had breakfast with the retiree first responders at Lincoln Square on 56th & Binford Boulevard. Once each month, he made his way to the Black Firefighters breakfast meeting to enjoy fellowship with his fellow fire fighters. On weekends JAMES loved camping with his family at Old Mill Run Park in Thorntown, Indiana and JAMES loved to take the RV on road trips.

JAMES loved the Lord. Every night, JAMES said his prayers out loud. His prayer started with “Father, it’s me again. Stop by just for a little while and check on me”. His prayer always ended with “Bless my wife, bless my kids, grandkids, sisters and brother, nieces and nephews. JAMES wrapped his prayer up with “Bless my friends and my enemies.” James included Pastor Page in his prayers and if a friend was ill, he called out their name in prayer. He also asked the Lord to forgive his sins. JAMES started each day with “I thank you Lord for another day.” JAMES loved his family, loved living, loved to be loved, loved to talk, loved his New Baptist Church family, and he loved Pastor Page (Doc). JAMES will be missed by his family and his many friends. JAMES met no strangers in his lifetime. Anywhere JAMES went, he knew someone or they knew him. We will miss that twinkle in his eyes, his willingness to serve people, his kind and generous heart, his joking spirit, gift of gab and his hearty laughter. JAMES was always in good spirits even in the worst of times.

JAMES departed this life on February 28, 2018 at the age of seventy five years, 2 months and 30 days. He leaves to cherish his memory, his devoted and loving wife of 43 years, Corlis Ann Lauray-Bell, two sons, James Arthur Bell III, (Kamara), Anthony Leroy Bell Sr.; two daughters, Sharita Marie Bell, Brittany Lauray Bell-Wayman (Jon), seven grandchildren, Anthony Leroy Johnson, Adreeahna Bankston, Kareyon Bankston, James Arthur Bell IV, Avery Steve Bell, Wellsley Wayman, and William Wayman, one brother, Leonza Quarles (Sonnetia) four sisters, Polly King (Buford), Lucy Quarles, Norma Freeman, and Deborah Quarles, a host of nieces and nephews and other relatives, his New Baptist church family, and his many friends.

~ Humbly Submitted by The Family