Dennis Nelson Bell Jr, age 56, won his fight with cancer early on the morning of February 5th, going home to be with his precious Jesus. He was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather, but most importantly, he lived a life completely devoted to his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Dennis was a lifelong Kansas Citian, and leaves behind his wife of 33 years, Becky, and three children, Lilly 30, David 28, and Josiah 23. He had one grandchild, Benjamin 2. He is also survived by his sister, Denise Furey (husband Rob), nephew Ben, and his stepfather, Richard Roscher. He is preceded in death by his mother, Edith Roscher, and father, Dennis Nelson Bell Sr.

The gifts that Dennis brought to the lives of his loved ones are numerous: he was a kind, gentle, hardworking, and faithful man. His life was oriented around his faith and his family: he was married to Becky in 1986, and they built a life together in the family home in Raytown where they lived for over 25 years. He was a hardworking man who made sure his family never went without. However, he also had the biggest heart for servant-leadership and he made time to be an active member of his community and an active minister of the love of Jesus. 

Some of the ways in which he was privileged to serve the Lord: Graduate of the Shepherd’s School of Ministry, a licensed minister, the creator and director of Health and Grief Support ministry; served as Nursing Home ministry director, Circuit Riders preacher, Children’s Ministry leader including being the beloved Mr. Bell to hundreds of first grade Bible Bees, co-founder of annual Children’s World Outreach Missions Conference, Small group leader, lay counselor, Discipleship teacher and trainer, Astronomy Ministry, deacon. He also took several international missions trips and organized and directed the annual carnival for Children’s Mercy cancer kids and families.  

A memorial service will be held on February 15th at Harvest Baptist Church in Blue Springs, Missouri. Visitation will be at 9am and the memorial service will commence at 10am. Please join us as we remember Dennis’s life and rejoice in all that the Lord has done. 

In lieu of flowers, we’d request that you consider a donation to the Hope Lodge of Kansas City. We met so many dear people on this journey whose lives were literally uprooted in order to receive treatment at KU Med. Hope Lodge provides a free “home-away-from home” for cancer transplant patients and their families. 

http://www.cancer.org/treatment/support-programs-and-services/patient-lodging/hope-lodge/kansas-city/about-our-facility.html