Michael Thomas Bell

IN LOVING MEMORY OF MICHAEL T. BELL MAY HE REST IN PEACE Nov 13, 1947 – Dec 22, 2020 Michael Thomas Bell passed away peacefully on December 22, 2020 with his wife Cathy by his side. Mike was 73 years old and a resident of Craft Farms in Gulf Shores, Alabama. He was unable to win this battle with complications from a long illness of COPD. Mike was born November 13, 1947 and was raised in Seagoville, TX by his parents Charles “Charlie” Frank Bell and Mildred “Louise” (Tiner) Bell who both preceded him in death. Mike grew up in a large family with his brothers Charles (deceased) and Pat (Lynda) and his sisters Suzanne (John), Rosemary (Ellis), Tricia and Lou (Mark). There was always something going on at that house. He got his love for music from his father and went to college on a music scholarship, where he played in the Jazz Band and marched in the Rose Bowl Parade. He enjoyed cards and board games and spent many years playing duplicate bridge for a little extra spending money. He played team sports, fished and bowled and was very good at trivia. Jeopardy was a ritual at his house. Mike always worked hard even at his part time jobs on his paper routes, mowing lawns, roofing and as police radio dispatcher in Seagoville. His career began with International Harvester (IH) in 1970 as an Accountant in the Dallas Sales Office. In the early 1980’s he had the opportunity to join a team that centralized all the regional offices into one location in Chicago, IL. He commuted weekly between Dallas and Chicago until that office opened in 1983 and he was named Facility and I.T. Manager. He lived in Roselle, IL until his job took him to Racine, WI in 1985. This was when IH merged into Tenneco, Case, CNH and ultimately Fiat. Mike retired from his successful 40-year career in 2010. Mike’s real passion was golf and his first date with his wife Cathy was on the golf course. They were married in Racine, WI in 1989. Over the years they searched for their perfect retirement home where the weather was warm and the golf courses were open all year. They found Gulf Shores, AL in 1993 and immediately fell in love with the beautiful beaches and the abundance of places to golf. After many vacations to the area, they made Craft Farms their home in 2012. He was playing golf before the moving boxes were unpacked and played at least three days a week with the wonderful members at Craft Farms. Even after his body would not let him be competitive, he enjoyed watching out the back windows as his friends drove down the fairway. This was “Living the Dream”. He is survived by his wife, Cathy L. Bell; daughter, Terri Gail (Bell, Skipworth) Hulse and Terri’s six children; two great-grandchildren; his brother and sisters; numerous nephews and nieces and MACS. Bandit preceded him in death and is happy to see him again. A celebration of Mike’s life will be held at a later date when family and friends are able to travel and be together. In lieu of flowers or gifts, please donate to your favorite food pantry or charity of your choice.