John Douglas 'J.D.' Bell, Sr.

Services for John Douglas 'J.D.' Bell, 86, of Gladewater, will be held on Wednesday, December 18, 2013, at 2 P.M. at Croley Funeral Home Chapel in Gladewater with Reverend Othell LaFerney officiating. Burial will be in Friendship Cemetery. Born on December 21, 1926, in Starrville, Smith County, Texas, he entered into eternal rest on Sunday, December 15, 2013. He was a veteran of the United States Army, having served during World War II and the Korean War. On July 19, 1954, he married Ouida LaFerney in Gilmer, Texas. For 56 years they enjoyed life together until her death on May 25, 2010. For many years he was employed for T & L Oilfield Services until his retirement in 1989. He especially enjoyed fishing and hunting. He is surived by one son, Derwin Bell of Longview; two daughters and sons-in-law, Janet and Benjamin Mendez and Darla and Paul Allen, all of Gladewater; 7 grandchildren, Johnathan Gage, Ashley Mendez, Ben Mendez, Destiny Bell, John Derwin Bell, Candace Allen, and Courtney Allen; six great-grandchildren, Chance Mendez, Ellicia Mendez, Kimber Gage, Brantley Townsend, Connor Morgan, Anna Boles; and one sister, Marvell Murrell. He was preceded in death by his parents, John Douglas Bell, Sr. and Lilly Todd Garner; one brother; and four sisters. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 P.M. on Tuesday, December 17, 2013, at Croley Funeral Home in Gladewater.