James E. Bell Jr., 91

James E. Bell Jr. passed away peacefully on Nov. 8, 2015, at his Kalispell home, 18 days shy of his 92nd birthday.

James, “Jim,” “Demetrius Bellapopolis,” “Jim the Bell” was born in Whitefish, Nov. 26, 1923. He was deeply ingrained in the Flathead Valley community beginning with delivering the Whitefish Tribune as a youngster and working in local lumber mills and Whitefish gas stations pumping gas.

At the outbreak of World War II, he voluntarily enlisted in the United States Army, and subsequently was moved to the Army Air Corps. During the majority of his active duty, he was stationed on Guam and served for a total of three years, 11 months and 11 days. While he never openly discussed his military experience, he was extremely proud to have had the opportunity to serve his country.

After he was honorably discharged from the military, he worked for the Great Northern Railroad, stationed out of Whitefish where he met many lifelong and dear friends. In his strong desire to “get an education,” he moved on to attend the University of Montana and received a degree in accounting. Shortly after graduating, he secured a position with an oil and gas firm in Casper, Wyoming, where he met Catherine Agnes Carter, a feisty local girl that also shared Jim’s deep commitment to the Catholic faith. Jim and Cathie were married on July 16, 1955, at Saint Anthony’s Catholic Church in Casper. In 1956, the couple moved to Whitefish and started a family.

Jim worked for the J. Austin Miller accounting firm in Kalispell for a number of years and in 1969, received his Certification for Public Accounting from the University of Alabama. Returning to the valley, he began working for Canyon Logging and Ureco.

While Jim worked for other companies in accounting and ultimately as a controller, he maintained a client base for his private practice. His pride in his work and dedication to his clients framed his persona. When asked what he would do, if money were not an issue, anything at all, he paused and replied, “Work, I suppose, I love my clients and I love what I do.” He was one of the last accountants that made house calls to help clients with tax issues. His love and commitment to his profession earned him the 2006 America’s Outstanding Older Workers Award for the State of Montana.

Dedicated to his community and charitable and fraternal causes, he was an active member of the Knights of Columbus, the Elks, the Eagles and Hoo-Hoo’s, and contributed countless hours to Special Olympics, St. Matthew’s Athletic Association and parish, and the Boy Scouts of America.

He was truly one of the Greatest Generation.

Jim is survived by his wife of 60 years, Cathie; his four children, Helen Bell-White, Patty Hartford, Sean Bell and Jennifer Marzolf; and seven grandchildren, Trevor White, Alex White, Olivia Hartford, Carter Bell, Marlie Bell, Quin Marzolf and Abbi Marzolf.

The family will be holding a memorial Mass and celebration of life mid-summer 2016; a public notice will be posted.

Contributions in his name can be made to the St. Matthew’s Athletic Association and the Boy Scouts of America.

Friends are encouraged to visit the website, http://www.buffalohillfh.com, to leave notes of condolence for the family.

Buffalo Hill Funeral Home and Crematory is caring for the family.