Saturday, November 13, 2021, Verlan Leslie Bell, loving husband of Mary
Lou (Lambert) Bell and father of four children, passed away peacefully
at his home in Centennial, Colorado at the age of 90.
Verlan was born September 5, 1931, in rural Graham County Kansas to
Vernon and Mabel (Clark) Bell. He was the third child of seven. Verlan
attended a one room country school in rural Graham County graduating
from 8th grade in 1946. He completed grades 9-11 at Morland High School
where he played football. After 11th grade he left school to help on the
family farm. He worked as a farm hand for his father in Clayton, Kansas
from 1944-1951. During his teen years, Verlan completed many 4H
projects and later obtained his GED. In 1950 he met the love of his
life, Mary Lou, while she was a freshman in high school. After dating
for a couple of years they were engaged December 24, 1951. They were
married June 12, 1954 and enjoyed 64 years together before Mary Lou’s
death in 2019.
Verlan was drafted into the army October 30, 1951. He served with
the 51st Signal Battalion in Korea. The battalion furnished telephone
and very high frequency radio service for the I Corps. Private Bell was
assigned as a pole lineman. He was released from active military service
after three years and transferred to Army Reserve to complete eight
years of service under the Universal Military Training and Service Act.
Verlan received the Korean Service Medal with three Bronze Service
Stars, the United Nations Service Medal, and the Meritorious Unit
Commendation.
After Verlan and Mary Lou married they honeymooned in Colorado. They
returned to Hill City, Kansas to begin their life together. Verlan
worked for the power company and ran the projector for the movie theater
in town. May 14, 1955, they were blessed with their first child, Leslie
Owen. May 29, 1957, Verlan was shocked by a 2400-volt electric line
while at work. The shock knocked him unconscious causing him to fall to
the ground. His heart restarted when he hit the ground. He survived the
fall with only cuts and bruises ~ a tremendous miracle and blessing from
God for his family!
November 19, 1957, Debra Ann was born followed by Diana Kay August
19, 1959. In the fall of 1959 Verlan moved his family to Littleton,
Colorado. Verlan worked for Martin Marietta before opening a Conoco
station in Englewood, Colorado in 1963. In 1964 he opened another Conoco
station on University in Centennial, Colorado. Verlan and Mary Lou
bought a home in Centennial in 1969. James Craig was born July 27, 1970,
completing their family.
Verlan enjoyed hunting deer and elk, fishing, riding horses and
traveling. He took the family on many adventures across the United
States in a motorhome. He was an active member of the Littleton Optimist
Club, spending many hours volunteering his time to earn funds to
support their many charities. He served as the club President and
Lieutenant Governor for the Colorado/Wyoming district from 1975-76.
Verlan is preceded in death by his wife Mary Lou; his parents Vernon
and Mabel; his sisters Arlene (Dale) Jones and Ethel (Jourdan) Mattke;
brothers: Glen, Harold Lee and Doyle; and daughter-in- law Kay Bell.
He is survived by his four children: Leslie, Debbie (Kjell) Snemyr,
Diana (Don) Missel and Jim; five grandchildren: Bobby Anderson, LeAnne
(Arlo) Padilla, Kristi (Janak) Garg, Erik Snemyr and Stephanie Missel;
four great grandchildren: Mirabai and Kiran Garg, Hayden Snemyr, and
Grayson Padilla; one brother Jerry (Rena) Bell, lots of special nieces,
nephews, cousins and friends.
Click HERE for service details.