Jack Bell

Surrounded by his family, Jack Bell passed away peacefully on February 22, 2024 at the Legacy Living and Rehabilitation Center in Gillette, WY. Jack was born August 9, 1940 in Gillette, WY, to Melvin “Mutt” and Doris (Mooney) Bell.  At a very early age he learned how to drive a truck and began hauling cattle to Omaha, NE for the Bell and Mooney trucking company. He did attend CCHS but he decided that work life was a whole lot more enjoyable and profitable than attending school so he quit school to make his life in the trucking industry. He married the love of his life, Dianne Reimers on Dec. 4, 1957 in Sturgis, SD. In true Jack fashion, he would always laugh and have a gleam in his eye when he told the story of how they got married. They welcomed two boys into their life, Rick Bell Nov. 1958 and Jack William Bell Nov. 1962, who both reside in Gillette. In 1965 Jack bought Kenneth Mooney’s portion of Bell and Mooney trucking and became a partner with his dad.  He continued to haul livestock, feed, gas, propane, water, oil and mud to not only local businesses and ranchers but across the country as well.  The stories of his days on the road could rival none but luckily, he always came home in one piece.  He was very dedicated to driving truck and was named the truck driver of the year in 1964. After he sold Bell and Mooney trucking company, he worked for a few different companies in the Gillette area from hauling livestock to hauling beer. The job he retired from, at the age of 75, was hauling equipment for Freund Construction Company in Gillette. He spent his life in the trucking business but since he was born into it and started driving truck at the age of 14, there wasn’t much else he knew or wanted to do. In his spare time, he loved to go fishing and loved being on the mountain.  He also loved to go to the Moose Lodge and spend time socializing with his friends and we would always jokingly say, “if those walls could talk”. Anyone who knew Jack well knew he always had a story; some would leave you laughing for days and others just made you shake your head and leave you wondering. However, if you truly knew Jack, you never questioned his stories because, with him, anything was possible. Jack had a sense of humor and had a knack for giving everyone a nickname. It usually fit the person well because Jack had a good sense of character for people. Just to name a few of his pet nicknames for people are Clinton, Rocky, Rudy and Herman.  Jack is preceded in death by his mom and dad, his wife Dianne, his sisters Alice and Carol, brothers Dennie and Gary, daughter in-law Gayle Bell and grandson Chad Bell.  He is survived by his sister Judy Stephens of Sundance, WY, his sons Rick (Tammy) Bell, Jack William Bell, four grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. We should all be so lucky to have the kind of friends he had and to have the life stories like he had. He lived a full life, he worked hard and you always knew where you stood with him and what was on his mind. He will be remembered well and greatly missed by those that knew him. May his stories live on in everyone’s memories and if you ever need a smile, just remember one of your favorite Jack stories. There is an informal celebration of life gathering planned at the Moose Lodge March 9, 2024 starting at 2:00 p.m. His friends are invited to come and share memories and stories and give Jack the sendoff he would have wanted. In lieu of cards and flowers please donate to your favorite charity in Jack’s name. Memorials and condolences may be sent in care of Walker Funeral Home 410 S Medical Arts Court, Gillette, WY 82716. Condolences may also be expressed at www.walkerfuneralgillette.com