Keith Bell

Keith Bell, 64, of Gatesville passed away on Saturday, November 19, 2016 surrounded by his family. Funeral Services will be held at 2:00 PM on Tuesday, November 22, 2016 at Scott’s Funeral Home, with burial following at Restland Cemetery. The family will receive visitors an hour prior to the service. Keith was born on August 22, 1952 in Refugio, Texas to the late Billy and Ruth (Evans) Bell. He attended school in Refugio until moving to Gatesville his freshman year. He was the co-captain of the Gatesville Hornet football team and received the first Helmet Award for academic excellence. Keith was selected as class favorite by his peers, and graduated from Gatesville High School in 1970. He attended Texas A&M University where he received his Bachelor Degree. Keith married his high school sweetheart, Kay Spencer on June 11, 1971. Keith worked for many years as Chief Estimator for CLM Construction, building many schools and prisons throughout the state of Texas. In addition, he was a school teacher in Pecos and Gatesville, and later was the Director of Maintenance for Gatesville ISD. After retirement, Keith worked at TDCJ, Lane Murray Unit for 5 years. Keith and Kay had many friends across Texas, including Smithville and Pecos. Keith was an ordained Church of Christ minister who considered one of his proudest moments when he baptized each of his children and son-in-law, Victor. He was a faithful mentor and coach to his children, and many others throughout Gatesville. Keith enjoyed fishing and loved all things baseball, including a trip to the Field of Dreams in Iowa. His greatest treasures were his six grandchildren. Keith was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Allan Bell and wife, Karen; and a sister, Marla Hernandez. Keith is survived by his wife of 45 years, Kay Bell; children, Tobi Shirley and husband, Brandon of Gatesville, Lane Olvera and husband, Victor of McGregor, Seth Bell and wife, Marissa of Carrollton, and Darion Roberts of Gatesville; 2 granddaughters, Zebedee Gonzales-Bell and Myla Olvera, and 4 grandsons, Foster and Fielder Shirley, Zaiden Bell, and Christian Olvera; sister-in-law, Penny Massingill and husband, Lynn of Gatesville, and numerous nieces, nephews, and friends. Memorials may be made to Cedar Ridge Church of Christ or the Gatesville Little League baseball program.