Mr. James Elmer Bell, age 92, passed away Saturday, September 16, 2023. He was born on March 4, 1931 in Red Bay, Florida to Claude Layfatte Bell and Mary Autney Brown Bell.

Mr. Bell was a lifelong resident of Walton County, Florida. He was Holiness by faith and attended Beech Grove Church of God. He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. He was a veteran of the Korean Conflict serving his country in the United States Army, having earned the Korean Service Medal with three Bronze Stars, the United Nations Service Medal, and the National Defense Service Medal. He worked as a heavy equipment operator and supervisor with the Florida Department of Transportation for over 35 years before retiring. He loved farming and growing his own vegetables. He loved to deer hunt and duck hunt. He also enjoyed fishing having spent many hours on the Choctawhatchee River.

Mr. Bell was preceded in death by his father and mother; and son Ronnie Bell.

Mr. Bell is survived by his loving wife of 69 years Hazel Bell; daughter-in-law Gennifer Chapman Bell; grandchildren Shannon Lang and husband Kahler, Brandon Bell and wife Haley, all of the Valley View Community; and great-grandchildren Finley Elizabeth Bell and Micah Ryan Bell.

A private Graveside Service will be held at a later date at the Euchee Valley Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the American Diabetes Association at https://diabetes.org/ways-to-give.