Harry Bell, Jr.

Harry Homer Bell, Jr., age 95, of Gulfport, passed away on Saturday, February 6, 2021.

Born in Hattiesburg on May 20, 1925, his parents were Harry (Judge) and Edith Walton Bell.  He attended Hattiesburg High School and joined the U.S. Army upon graduation in 1943.  He was sent to Auburn University under the Army Special Training Program for advanced students.

Due to increased need to fill newly formed infantry divisions, all specialized programs were cancelled.  He and others were sent to the 106 division at Camp Atterbury, Indiana.  After field maneuvers, his division was sent overseas to France, then through Belgium to the front lines in the Ardennes Forest in Germany.  Soon thereafter, Germany began their offensive known as Battle of the Bulge.  After three days of fighting, his unit was surrounded and captured.  He and others were sent to Stalag 9b in Bad Orb, Germany.  He, along with many other POW’s, were liberated in the spring of 1945 and returned to the United States.  He was stationed at Fort Benning, GA until discharge at Camp Shelby, MS in December of 1945.

Upon discharge, he returned to Auburn where he received his degree in Electrical Engineering.  While he was there, he joined Sigma Chi Fraternity and was selected for membership by the honors society, Tau Beta Phi.  After graduation from Auburn, Mr. Bell joined Mississippi Power Company in Gulfport as a distribution engineer.  He served in several position throughout the company until he was appointed Vice President, Engineering and Operations.

During his tenure, he was responsible for the erection of two large generating units at Plant Watson and the construction of Plant Daniel in Jackson County.  After 38 years of service, he retired as a Registered Professional Engineer and Vice President, Power Generation and Transmission.

His retirement from the power company led him to join his wife Louise, and son Louis, in their business, Bell Travel Services.  During this time, he and his wife traveled throughout Europe, British Isles, Africa, China, and Malaysia.

Sailing was his recreation, especially when crewing with Buddy Hopkins on his sloop, L’Estimate’e.  There were many regattas and long-distance races.  He taught his four boys to sail on the Little Red Boat, Petit Rouge.  Mr. Bell loved boating, had many power boats, and captained many excursions to the islands on his yacht Playtime.

During his time with the power company, he was very active in civic and social affairs.  He served as President of the South Mississippi Boy Scout Council, director of Magnolia Savings Bank of Hattiesburg, President of the Gulfport Chamber of Commerce, Kiwanis Club, and founding President of the Great Southern Club.  He was Commodore during the rebuilding of the Gulfport Yacht Club after Hurricane Camille.  He was also a member of the Gulfport Business Club, the Century Club, and was a devoted member of the First United Methodist Church of Gulfport for over 60 years where he served as Chairman of the Administrative Board.

He was preceded in death by his wife Louise Ross Bell, a loving wife and helpmate, and his son Louis Wesley Bell.

He is survived by his brother, J.C. Bell of Hattiesburg; his three sons, Homer (Jan), Ross (Terri), and Jeff (Lynn); and his grandchildren, Madeleine, Garner (Ivey), and Preston (Nicolet), all of whom he loved deeply.

Due to concerns related to the pandemic, outdoor visitation will be held on Thursday, February 11, 2021, at Jones Park in the West Pavilion from 9:00 until 11:00 am.  The family will share a special eulogy at 10:40 am at the West Pavilion.

Following masking and distancing guidelines, you are invited to attend funeral services at 11:30 at First United Methodist Church of Gulfport which will be followed by private interment at Biloxi National Cemetery due to gathering restrictions on the grounds of the VA.

The family wishes to give special thanks to Harry’s caregivers, Christine Brown, Diane Newman, and others during his time of need.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to First United Methodist Church of Gulfport, 2301 Fifteenth Street, Gulfport, MS 39501.

RIEMANN FAMILY FUNERAL HOME, Gulfport, is serving the family, and memories may be shared at www.riemannfamily.com .