Surrounded by his family, Tommy Larry Bell walked through the gates of Heaven with Jesus by his side on Friday, August 30, 2024. Larry was born in Pisgah, Alabama on June 9, 1945 and was raised in Clinton, Tennessee. Larry served his country by enlisting in the United States Navy. He was a proud submariner and served his final patrol on the USS Casimir Pulaski. He and his brother, Glen, were scheduled to serve together on the USS Casimir Pulaski prior to his brother’s passing. Larry is a graduate of University of Tennessee at Chattanooga earning a bachelor’s degree in Mathematics.
After serving in the Navy, Larry began his career in nuclear power working as part of the start-up team at the Arkansas Power and Light nuclear power plant for Unit 1 and Unit 2. To be closer to home, he, his wife and two sons moved to Chattanooga, Tennessee in 1981. He became an instructor at the Unites States Nuclear Regulatory Commission up until he retired.
He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Pat; sons, Donnie (Susan) Bell, and David Bell; granddaughters, Ashley (Evan) Irwin, Megan Bell (fiancé, Jon Davis), Kylie Bell, Erica Stafford; and his adored great grandson, Jaxon; sisters, Sue Johnson and Sharon (Jimmy) Antrican and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Louie and Grace Bell, brother, Glen Bell, and sister, Pat Meredith.
He will be missed by his border collies, Matt and Maggie.
Larry was actively involved and supportive of his kids in their activities. He was an assistant baseball coach for Donnie’s baseball, and a proud supporter of Donnie at Ooltewah high school football and baseball games. He was also a proud supporter of David with the Ooltewah band during football games and numerous band competitions. From all the numerous activities he supported, Larry had said he would never sit on a cold bleacher again, but that all changed when the granddaughters had softball games, volleyball games, graduations and attending Jaxon’s baseball games. Larry was always the biggest and proudest cheerleader and supporter of his kids, grandkids and great grandson. He enjoyed eating watermelon with Jaxon on the back porch.
Larry loved his family and enjoyed meeting his sisters for lunches as often as they could plan and he frequently talked to them on the phone. They would often reminisce about growing up and he would always get the spanking, even though he always said his sisters started it. He had fond memories of his sisters and cousins and kept in touch with many of his cousins through the years.
Larry was an avid fisherman and had numerous fishing trips with his closest friend, Henry. They would spend hours on the boat with never an ill word towards the other. They would always tell stories about how many fish they caught and how big the fish were that they caught. They had several friends, Gene, Mark, Calvin and John that would fish together in Canada and they always came back with many memories and stories and a ton of fish.
Larry will be laid to rest at the National Cemetery in Chattanooga, Tennessee with a graveside service at 11:00 am on Friday, September 6, 2024.
Very special thanks to Pastor Rob Anderssen and the deacons and church family at East Brainerd Baptist Church.
Arrangements are by the East Brainerd Chapel of Chattanooga Funeral Home, Crematory & Florist, 8214 East Brainerd Rd., Chattanooga, TN 37421.
Please share your thoughts and memories at www.ChattanoogaEastBrainerdChapel.com.
