Mr. Curtis Larue Bell

Mr. Curtis Larue Bell went to be with the Lord on Thursday, June 24, 2010 at his residence in Lincoln Park. He was formally a resident of the Kalamazoo area for over 40 years. He was born during the Great Depression Era on October 29, 1929, in Chicago, IL the 2nd child of Stanley and Dorothy Bell. During his youth he attended Inglewood High School in Chicago, excelling in athletics and in fact, placing 2nd in the State in a track event. It is noteworthy that he also continued to compete in street racing against his teenage children some thirty years later and soundly winning! He also excelled in academics, which enabled him to attend the prestigious Northwestern University, majoring in Accounting. He entered the United States Army in 1951, serving in the Korean Conflict as a forward observer as well as field wireman. After being injured in the conflict, he departed the military and returned to college, attending Michigan Tech. He sacrificed his remaining years of college to assist his mother on her small farm in Lawrence, Michigan. Throughout his life Curtis engaged in a pattern of sacrificing his own interest for that of his family. In the summer of '57, he met the love of his life, Cymphelia, with whom he shared the next four decades of life. Cymphelia went to be with the Lord in 2002. Together Curtis and Cymphelia raised 9 children, of which the first three sets were twins, two years apart. The family vacationed every year traveling with all 9 children packed into a van which was not a struggle for our father, who made it fun and hilarious for all. Can you imagine? His love for his wife and children was strong, only exceeded by his love for his Savior, Jesus Christ. He was a family man, passing on his spiritual heritage to his children. He was the best role model a child could have. He had a passion for Jesus Christ, being active in his church homes and the local jail ministries, Curtis retired from General Motors in 1993. He continued to enjoy golfing and bowling, especially pleased with obtaining 4 hole-in-ones! In the last years, he traveled with his wife, Cymphelia to Spain, Portugal, Italy, (Pompei, Vatican City, Sistine Chapel), Turkey, Moracco and Greece. Meeting Curtis meant you met a friend for life. He was beloved, witty, intellectual, and just fun to be with. He appreciated the value of a dollar, competing with his friend, Cecil for empty pop cans and selling eggs and goat's milk at General Motors, which earned him the nicknames of "Egg Man" and "Onion Man". Curtis's spirit continues in the lives of his children and those who's live's he touched. His children are a witness of his legacy: Arius, Diane, Denise, Sharon, Stanley, Curtis, Noel, and Phelan; and his grandchildren: Holly, Arius, Arian Jr., Adrian, Alex, Adam, Aaron, Joshua, Rachel, Brittany, Adrianna, Stanley Jr., Christian, Margaret, Curtis Jr., Celia, Neil, Rajesh, Phelan Jr., and Tevin; and one great-grandchild, Makelia. Curtis was predeceased by his wife: Cymphelia; his son, Arian; his brother, Stanley; his mother, Dorothy and his father, Stanley.

Mr. Curtis Larue Bell

October 8, 1929 - June 24, 2010