Robert Scott Bell, Jr. passed away on May 5, 2019, in Searcy, Arkansas. He was born to Major Robert Scott and Elwanda Hoofman Bell on October 30, 1946, at Rodgers Hospital in Searcy. He graduated with honors from Searcy High School in 1964 and attended Ouachita Baptist University and Arkansas State University where he was a member of the Reserve Officer Training Corp.
He left ASU to serve his country and enlisted in the army. He was assigned to basic training at Ft. Jackson, South Carolina, and graduated as the Outstanding Trainee of the post.
Because of a stellar performance there and because of his completion of the R.O.T.C. training at ASU, he received a direct commission and completed the Infantry Officer Basic Course at Ft. Benning, Georgia, graduating with honors.
From there, he was posted to Ft. Riley, Kansas, as a part of the 1st Infantry Division (the Big Red One). It was there he volunteered to serve in Vietnam.
Before shipping out to Vietnam, he trained under the command of the late Colonel A.J. “Bo” Baker at the U.S. Army Jungle Warfare School in the Panama Canal Zone. Bell arrived in Vietnam in August of 1970 where he served as an infantry platoon leader and spent six months in the field leading search and destroy missions with 196th Light Infantry Brigade. He then became company commander even though he was not the senior lieutenant in the battalion.
This was highly unusual but demonstrated command’s faith and confidence in his ability to perform leadership skills valuable in warfare. Bell was stationed at Firebase Mary Ann as a part of his combat duty in Vietnam. A book by Keith William Nolan entitled Sappers in the Wire: The Life and Death of Firebase Mary Ann (Williams-Ford Texas A&M University Military History Series, Texas A & M Press, College Station, Texas, 1995) outlines information leading up to, during, and after the attack on the American detachment at this firebase.
This battle has been designated as the last large battle in which American units served in Vietnam. In August of 1971, Bell returned home a decorated warrior. Recipient of the Army Commendation Medal with V for Valor, the Bronze Star with Oak Leaf Cluster (two bronze stars), the Air Medal for 25 Combat Assaults, the Vietnam Cross of Gallantry, and the Combat Infantryman Badge he decided that his service was complete, and he would get on about the business of life.
He sought employment at the Arkansas Employment Security Division. He began as a veteran’s counselor (rising to a supervisory position eventually completing a 29-year distinguished career there). He proposed to Rosemary Langley, who was a music teacher at Sidney Deener Elementary School, and they married in December of 1972.
After retirement and part-time employment with The Lightle Law Firm, he felt the need to complete his college degree so on May 9, 2015, he graduated wearing an honor cord as a decorated veteran at the commencement ceremony at Arkansas State University in Jonesboro. On November 5, 2016, Bell was inducted into the Arkansas Military Veterans’ Hall of Fame, and over the years he spent numerous volunteer hours in schools and civic clubs sharing his military experiences. Bell was an active member of First Baptist Church in Searcy and served as a fourth grade Sunday School teacher, a co-teacher of The Bill Wood Sunday School Class, a trustee of the church, as well as a member of numerous church committees.
Predeceasing him were his parents and a very special aunt, Laura Doris Hoofman Yarnell. His survivors include his wife of 47 years, Rosemary, their son, Robert Scott Bell III, and wife Kara Allison Bell, his grandchildren, Allison Langley Bell and Robert Connelly Bell, his brother, Arthur Watson Bell Sr. and wife, Jean Ann Langley Bell, his niece Laura Elizabeth Bell Bailey, her husband, Edward Lane Bailey, his nephew Arthur Watson Bell, Jr. and wife Michelle Bridges-Bell, and a great-nephew and great-niece, Gowen Lane Bailey and BelleAnn Elizabeth Bailey. Visitation with the family will be on Thursday, May 9 at 9:30 am in the Searcy First Baptist Church Family Ministry Center with a funeral service to follow at 11:00 am under the direction of Powell Funeral Home.
Interment will be in the White County Memorial Gardens. Dr. Brian Whitney, Pastor Emeritus David D. Crouch, and Reverend Bill Bennett will officiate. Serving as pallbearers will be Lane Bailey, Art Bell, Buzz Bolding, Bobby Davis, Richard Holeyfield, Don Raney, Dr. Kirk Reynolds, and Tom Webb.
Acting as honorary pallbearers are members of The Bill Wood Sunday School Class. Colonel Tom Thomas will perform the military honors. Memorials may be made to First Baptist Church, 105 South Spring Street, Searcy, Arkansas 72143.
The family wishes to express sincere appreciation to each staff of Unity Health Hospital and Unity Health Rehabilitation, South Campus. To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Robert Scott Bell Jr. please visit our Sympathy Store.
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