James Carroll Bell, 69, of Kirksville, Missouri, passed away unexpectedly, Sunday, March 1, 2026 at his home.

Born January 5, 1957 in Kirksville, Missouri, James was the son of the late Carroll Lovell and Gladys Venus (Hatcher) Bell. He was also preceded in death by three sisters, Peggy, Kimberly, and Bonnie; three brothers, Roger, Curtis, and Darrell; and one niece, Theresa Stewart.

James is survived by two sons and a daughter-in-law, Jared and Leah Bell of Brashear, MO, and Jason Bell and fiancée Katie Locust of Kirksville, MO; one brother and sister-in-law, Jerry and Darlene Bell of Kirksville, MO; eight grandchildren, Wyatt and wife Lauryn, Lane, Rhett, Keagan, Wade, Addie, Jackson, and Roni; one great-grandchild, Wayne, as well as several nieces and nephews.

James received his education in the Kirksville public schools. He was employed for Kraft Foods for twenty-one years.

James enjoyed fishing, gardening, and lawn work, and enjoyed working with his mules. He was an avid Cardinal Baseball fan and loved spending time with his grandkids for he was a kid at heart.

James was a member of the Kirksville Moose Lodge #1751.

Public visitation will be held Wednesday, March 4, 2026 from noon to 2:00 p.m. service time in the chapel of Travis-Noe Funeral Home in Kirksville, with Jo Lynn Lunsford presiding. Interment will follow the service at Maple Hills Cemetery in Kirksville.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in memory of James may be made to his son, Jason Bell and may be left at or mailed to Travis-Noe Funeral Home, P.O. Box 306, Kirksville, MO 63601.