Posted: 11/10/04

James E. Bell, age 68, of Jefferson City and Helena passed on to a better life, Sunday, Nov. 7, 2004, at St. Peter's Hospital after a second, but brief, struggle with cancer.

Jim was born Jan. 26, 1936, in Belt, to Roy E. and Mary A. Bell. He was the youngest of five and enjoyed growing up on the farm. He graduated from Geraldine High School and attended Montana State University for one year.

He is survived by his children: Rosanna Hand, Michelle Wristen, Heather Bell and Milton Bell. He has seven grandchildren and one sister, Martha (Bobby) Gruel, and numerous nephews and nieces. He was preceded in death by his parents, sisters Winnie Wells and Ethel Mongrain and brother William Bell.

Jim was an adventurer and loved to try new things, although his first and last love was farming and raising cattle. He also worked for the Montana Highway Department; he owned and operated three vacuum stores in Oklahoma. He owned and operated a hotel and restaurant in Thompson Falls and he owned several rentals in Missoula. He operated one of the first live poker tables in Helena. He finally returned to the land and did custom haying and raised cattle until his death.

Jim loved to hunt and fish and not too many people could out-hunt or out-fish him. He hunted all over Montana and managed to bag many deer, elk and even got a trophy bear.

He was a very special father, beloved grandfather, a loving brother and a good friend.

A chapel service will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 11, from Hagler-Anderson Chapel, with the Rev. Rick DeMato of the Liberty Baptist Church officiating. Cremation has taken place. A reception will follow at the Elk's Club, 330 Lola St., Helena. Family prefers memorials to the Cancer Treatment Center of St. Peter's Hospital, 2475 Broadway, Helena, MT 59601 of to a charity of the donor's choice.