John Bell

June 15, 1926 – June 21, 2023

A golden voice from the golden age of radio, John ‘Jack’ Bell was born June 15, 1926 in Yonkers, New York to John R. Bell and Louisa Miller Bell. Jack joined the Navy in 1944 and served on the LST Tunisia during World War II. Upon his return, he received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Speech from the University of Kansas, where he also served as cartoonist for the yearbook.

Throughout his 62 year career in radio, and with special training from the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York City, Jack was heavily involved in play production, acting, directing, creative writing for various publications, a model of men’s fashion, and was a character/voice actor for such brands as Burger King, Georgia Power, and Southern Bell. He was also a featured news anchor in the 1985 film “Invasion USA” starring Chuck Norris.

He was a kind, loving soul who adored jazz, swing, big band, American music, the cinema, traveling to warm, sunny places like St. Lucia and Puerto Rico, and proudly kissed the hand of Ella Fitzgerald after meeting her in New York City. His long life lent to many incredible stories and he never failed to make an impression on all who met him with his quick wit, snappy dressing, and head full of gorgeous white hair.

Jack was the voice of Radio WHEP 1310 for 30 years, begrudgingly retiring at 90 years of age. His legacy is honored in the song “Mr. Morning Drive” penned by his grandson-in-law Adam Holt and granddaughter Jillian, and recorded by Adam for his album Kind of Blues released in 2019.

He was the loving and devoted husband to Nancy Lou Bell, whom he married December 30, 1976 and they spent their 47 years of marriage as eternal lovebirds, regularly singing to and dancing with each other, holding hands like sweethearts.

Prior to his death, he said “No matter how this film ends, it was always love.”

He is preceded in death by his sister, Jane Bell Miller; mother to his children, Mary Thomas Gray, and his grandson, Jeremiah Jensen. He is survived and beloved by Nancy, his son John H. Bell, daughters Christine Bell and Leslie Schleiger, step-daughters Kimberly Musetta Feldman and Hayley Hourwitz, grandsons Benjamin Schleiger and Nick Bell, granddaughters Jessica Jensen, Jillian Jensen Holt, Grace Bell, and great-granddaughters Emma, Rowan, Zoë, Luna, Emerson, and Evelyn.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.EasternGateMemorial.com for the Bell family.