Gary Lee Bell, age 78, of Brady, Nebraska went home on February 24, 2021 at Great Plains Health in North Platte, Nebraska surrounded by his family. He was born on September 12, 1942 to James and Leta (Kesterson) Bell at North Platte.
He graduated from Hershey High School with the class of 1961. After graduating, he entered the U.S. Navy on September 26, 1961 and served until he was honorably discharged on January 20, 1966. After serving, he worked in the plumbing industry for 30 years where he became a master plumber. He worked numerous other jobs and retired after 20 years of driving school buses for Brady Public School, which he really enjoyed.
Gary was united in marriage to Carol Kohl on December 26, 1963 and to this union 4 children were born: Tracy, Judy, Christine, and Shary. In 1978, he married Janeth Meyer and was blessed with two more children: Keely and Kasey. In 2009, Gary married Carol again.
He was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Brady, NE and the Wood Carvers Club of North Platte, NE. He was a former Boy Scout Leader for the The Boy Scouts of America in Gothenburg, NE. He enjoyed carving and woodworking, camping, attending auctions, but most importantly he loved his family.
Gary was preceded in death by his parents; mother and father-in-law, Erroll and Myrna Kohl; daughter, Judy Griffiths; second wife, Janeth; brothers, James, Don, Bob, and Bill; and sister, Alice Williams.
He is survived by his wife, Carol; sons, Tracy and Kasey (Jackie); daughters, Christine (Kevin), Shary (Lafe), and Keely (Gene); grandchildren, Nathan, Keith, Megan, Jack, Jennifer, Jim, Christopher, Liz, Tish, Josh, Dalton, Tailer, Tre, Rebekah, Rachel, Joseph, Jacob, Kyle, and Lindsey; many great grandchildren; and great-great grandchildren; and numerous other family members.
A Memorial Service will be 1:30 p.m. Monday, March 1, 2021 at the Brady Community Center in Brady, NE with Pastor Janie Freeman officiating. The burial of ashes will be at Fort McPherson National Cemetery, Maxwell, NE with Full Military Honors provided by the North Platte Veterans Honor Guard. Memorials are suggested to the family to designated at a later date.
Carpenter Memorial Chapel in North Platte, NE is entrusted with arrangements. The service will be livestreamed via Carpenter Memorial Chapels Facebook page. Online condolences and sharing of memories may be directed to www.carpentermemorial.com.