Tributes

Recently God called home one of his soldiers. It is with great sadness for us to announce that Gerald Dean Bell of Helotes, TX, previously of Turlock, CA, passed away at the age of 87 on January 12, 2023. Gerald was born on November 26th, 1935 in Oklahoma and moved with his family to California when he was 9 years old. His family lived in various areas of California and Oregon until he decided to grow roots in Modesto where he met the love of his life, Helen. Gerald and Helen met as teenagers at Friendly Tabernacle Church where they attended for more than 65 years. Gerald was a deacon and member of the board at Friendly and loved to sing in the church choir. To this day he could be heard humming a hymnal from time to time. He was a Godly man to the end. Gerald and Helen lived in Modesto and Turlock and raised five children together. Gerald’s family brought joy and purpose to his life. He was Journeyman Plumber then Superintendent at Thorsen’s Plumbing for 20+ years until he opened his own company, C&G Plumbing. He worked hard so he could enjoy boating and waterskiing with his family and friends. Weekend camping at Modesto Reservoir was where you would find them during the summer months. He enjoyed taking vacations to Disneyland with his family and he and Helen took many trips and visited many states, often on their motorcycle. He bowled in various bowling leagues until his back stopped him from enjoying the sport. He also loved restoring old cars and attending car shows in his later years. He knew every make and model and was a walking encyclopedia for anything pre 1960. He is survived by his four daughters, Margaret, Phillis, Cynthia and husband Danny, Karen and husband Eric, one son, Michael and wife Tami, twelve grandchildren, Randy, Sunshine and husband Will, Misty, Reggie, Shaun, Dustin and fiancé Morgan, Sylvia and fiancé Christine, Jamie and husband Matt, Zackary, Tyler, Hannah, Coleman, eleven great grandchildren, four great-great grandchildren, his brother, Harold Bell and wife Donna, brother-in-law, Everett Lobaugh and wife Marilyn and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his wife, Helen Bell, his parents, Weaver and Myrtie Bell, three sons-in-law, Alec, Murphy, and Mark, two grandsons, Jimmy and Greg, and one great grandson. There will be visitation at Turlock Funeral Home on January 23rd from 5-8 PM and a service will be held on January 24th at 10:00 AM. Gerald’s nephew Wayne Lobaugh, Jr. will be presiding over the service.

Tributes

Gerald Dean Bell

November 26, 1935 - January 12, 2023