Silver wings shining in the sunlight

Roaring engines headed somewhere in flight

They’re taking you away and leaving us lonely

Silver wings slowly fading out of sight.

Our beloved father, grandfather, brother and uncle, John Robert “Bob” Bell took one last airplane ride as he slipped into eternity on Monday, Sept. 6, at Davis Medical Center in Layton, Utah.

Bob was born on Sept. 19, 1952, in Evanston, to John Morris “Jack” Bell and JoAnn (Vernon) Bell. He attended schools in Randolph, Utah, and graduated from South Rich High School in May 1970.

He attended Weber State College in Ogden, Utah, and was a member of their rodeo team, riding bareback. After a year of college, he was called to serve a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Alberta Saskatchewan Mission.

Upon his return from his mission he married RaeNell McLean. They are the parents of three children; Jamie Lynn, Shane Robert and Jessica Rae. 

They were later divorced. 

Bob worked at various jobs through his life including operating equipment at the mines. He could run any piece of equipment there was and had the mechanical knowledge to repair pretty much anything. He also raised mink for some time and sold with the Vernon group. He loved to trap, hunt and fish and was an excellent marksman. He loved to snowmobile and if you ever tried following him once, you learned never to do it again. 

Bob loved flying and decided he wanted to try his hand at it. He built two weed hoppers that he taught himself how to fly. He then moved on to get his pilot’s license and bought his own plane. He loved buzzing his mom and dad’s house whenever he flew over Randolph.

He moved to Greybull for a time and married Victoria Hehn. They were later divorced.   

After Bob retired, he moved back home to Randolph, and he and his dad kept each other company and looked out for each other. 

He is survived by his children, Jamie Chapman, Shane (Amanda) and Jessica (John) Herrera; and six grandchildren he adored. He is also survived by his brothers, Vernon (Sherrie) and Brian (Anelisa); sisters, Betty Jo (Perry) Norris and Lorri (Raymond) Frandsen; and many nieces and nephews.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Jack and JoAnn Bell; his infant sister, Dora Lee; his paternal grandparents, Wilford and Helen Bell; his maternal grandparents, Joe and Grace Vernon; and a nephew, Kade Bell. 

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 11, at the Randolph LDS Ward chapel. There will be a viewing on Friday evening from 6-8 p.m. at the church and on Saturday morning from 9:30 to 10:45 a.m. Interment will follow the service in the Randolph Cemetery. 

Online condolences may be given at crandallfhevanston.com.