failure. Les was born in Heavener, Oklahoma on January 7, 1934 to Ira Perry Bell and Lola
Suter Bell. He was the oldest of six children. Later the family moved to Corcoran, California,
where Les attended school until high school. The family then moved to Fresno, California and
Les finished school at Roosevelt High School. As a young man he started work at Rainbow
Bread Bakery as a route salesman and retired after 37 years. For many of the years, his route
included Oakhurst and Bass Lake. He enjoyed the many business customers he served over
the years. Often on his days off during the busy summer season to service his customers, he
would pack up the family in the car along with loaves of bread and buns and head up to the
mountains.
Les and his wife Dorothy traveled the United States, Canada, Mexico and the world during
their vacations and later in retirement. Dorothy planned the trips and Les went along
wherever she decided they would travel. They made many friends on their guided tours and
took several great trips with family members included. In his spare time over the years, he
played guitar, keyboards, banjo and harmonica. He never had enough time to become
proficient on the instruments, instead settling to listening to music and attending live
performances. However, his greatest pleasure was spending time with his family, especially
his grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents, wife Dorothy, and their son Michael Bell. His
brothers Richie Bell and John Bell also preceded him.
Les is survived by his daughter Linda Gaad and her husband Bill; grandchildren Jodie Bell
Weaver (Chad), Brian Gaad, Jamie Bell Gill (Jimmy), and Julie Bell Moore (Austin) and seven
great-grandchildren. In addition, Les leaves behind brothers Bob Bell (Joyce), Jim Bell (Linda),
and sister Betty Burger, sister-in-law's Margaret Osier and Barbara Hand along with several
loving nieces and nephews who remember him fondly.
Visitation will be held at the Whitehurst Sullivan Burns & Blair Funeral Home on Saturday,
January 21st from 11am to 12pm. Funeral service will follow at 12pm at the funeral home's
chapel. The funeral home is located at 836 E. Nees Avenue, east of First Street in Fresno.
Interment at the Belmont Memorial Park will follow later.
In lieu of flowers, remembrances in Les's name may be made to the California Armenian
Home, who compassionately helped care for Les or the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer
Foundation.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.whitehurstsullivan.com for the Bell family.
