Neel Thornton Bell
1919 - 2003

Graveside services for Neel Thornton Bell will be held Monday, May 12, 11 a.m., at the 
Independence Cemetery in Independence.  Participating in the services will be Pastor 
Perry White of the Southern Baptist Church, Kirk Livermont, mast of Inyo Lodge No. 221, 
F. & A.M., and the officers of American Legion Post No. 265 of Independence.

The grandson of Owens Valley pioneer Andrew Neel Bell, Neel was born in the family home 
on Oak Creek on March 5, 1919.  Neel died at is Oak Creek home on May 6, 2003.

Neel's first eight years of school were spent at the Milton School on Oak Creek, taught 
by his mother, Ada.  He graduated from Owens Valley High School in 1937 and pursued his 
lifelong dream of a career in aviation by studying aeronautical mechanics at the Curtis-
Wright Institute in Glendale, paying his way through school by waxing airplanes.  He 
graduated from the Institute in 1939.  After graduation, Neel was employed by Douglas 
Aircraft until he enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps.  He was stationed at Miramar, Calif. 
and the Marshall Islands, and attained the rank of Master Sergeant.

On New Year's Eve 1942, Neel married his sweetheart, Enid Dye.  They met when Neel 
enrolled in her piano class.  Neel was not a promising piano student, but that didn't 
stand in the way of their romance.  The couple settled in Westchester, Calif., where Enid 
continued to teach piano and Neel returned to work at Douglas Aircraft when his tour of 
duty ended.  He retired in 1962 with 23 years of service, ending his career as an 
assistant foreman.

Neel, Enid, and their three sons then moved back to Oak Creek where Neel was able to 
fulfill his other dream of improving the family ranch. He developed rental properties, 
wells, and loved to garden, and to "give the garden away" as many will attest.  Neel was 
always ready to help anybody with anything.

Upon his return to the Owens Valley, Neel worked for the Inyo County Superintendent of 
Schools, delivering books, films and other school materials to schools up and down the 
valley.  After four-and-a-half years he retired from that position, then went to work for 
the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power as a warehouseman in Independence.

After 13 years with DWP Neel finally retired for good, devoting his time to his family, 
his ranch, the Inyo Lodge No. 221 Free and Accepted Masons, which was chartered by his 
grandfather in 1872.  Neel served as Master of the Lodge several times, including during 
its 125th anniversary, when he presided over the laying of a commemorative cornerstone.  
He was also a proud member of the American Legion post in Independence, and was active 
with the Boy Scouts of America in Newhall and Independence.

Neel is survived by his wife of 60 years, Enid; son, Neel Bell Jr. and his children, Kirk 
and Karen; son, Alan Bell, his wife, Evie, and daughter, Alexandra; and son Robert Bell, 
daughter-in-law Kay Smith, and their daughters, Amanda, Anna, and Angela; and great-
granddaughter, Isabella.

Donations in Neel's memory may be made to the charity of one's choice.

The Inyo Register
Bishop, Inyo County, California
Thursday, May 8, 2003 - Page A2

Transcribed by Pat Houser for Inyo County GenWeb, October 22, 2004