Edward L. (Ed) Bell Jr passed away Monday, October 10th, 2016 at the age of 80 years and 10 months. He had an extended battle with heart problems.

He was preceded in death by his wife Carolyn, whom he married June 18, 1966, and son Joshua Andrew Bell.

On a cold winter morning Ed was born at home the day after Christmas, 1935, in the village of Ben Arnold, Milam County, Texas.

In June 1941 the family re-located from the farm to Freeport, TX, area as jobs were plentiful along the gulf coast. After High School Ed worked on construction jobs and then MOPAC Railroad. Ed then spent 37 years with the Dow Chemical Company. Only taking time out for the mandatory military draft and later, his recall into military service. For several years he was a daily unit operations supervisor with Dow. He then advanced to coordinating product sales and in coming feed gas to all seven light hydrocarbon plants in Freeport, TX.

He was most proud of his military service, especially that with the famous 28th Infantry, Black Lions. After his recall to service he served in Germany during the building of the Berlin Wall and then the Cuban Missile Crisis. His M.O.S., or assignment, was with the N.A.T.O. Infantry. He proudly served with the 10th Special Forces with an 81 mm mortar crew. This group was the predecessors of the famous, modern day, Green Berets. Later, he was known for his knack of being able to judge great distances within just a few yards. This came in handy at the deer lease. While overseas he was selected for the E.I.B., or Expert Infantryman Badge, something he was very proud of.

After retiring from Dow, Ed and Carolyn traveled, mainly in the mountains. The high country Rocky Mountains were their favorites. They drove to the top of Pike's Peak once. They crossed most of the high mountain passes from Santa Fe, New Mexico, to Jasper, Alberta, Canada. Spending time in each National Park along the way. They also visited the Dow Plant in Red Deer, Alberta, Canada. Ed was part of the startup team for this plant in 1979.

Ed and Carolyn were always proud to say that they raised their three sons at Peach Point, which was part of the Stephen F Austin Plantation at Jones Creek, TX. Austin was originally buried very close to their home for before being moved to the State Cemetery in Austin, TX.

Ed's wife Carolyn passed away in 2011 and his youngest son Joshua, born on Ed's 40th birthday, passed in 2015. Ed leaves behind two sons; Gene and wife Bethany of Seabrook, TX, and Jason and wife Nicole of Williamsburg, TX. He had Grandsons Jeremy, Stephen and Jacob; Granddaughters Charity, Megan and Maryn and 7 great grandchildren.

We wish to extend our thanks to our many friends who joined us with their sons and grandsons on the many camping, hunting and fishing trips we had from childhood into our adult life. A great amount of gratitude is given to the extended family and friends in Hallettsville and Lavaca County that took Ed and his family in as one of their own after their settling here over a decade ago. Special thanks to Ms. Doris Camp of Trenton, South Carolina, for being a special friend to our Dad.

Funeral Service: 5:30 pm, Friday, October 14, 2016, at Kubena Funeral Home of Hallettsville; with Visitation starting at 4:30 pm. Honorary Pallbearers: John Slaughter, Dan Densford, Mark McGough, Shawn Lease, Tom Baker and Polo Velasquez. Officiant: Deacon Linard Harper. Entombment: 10:30 am, Saturday, October 15, 2016, Restwood Memorial Park, 1038 West Plantation Drive, Lake Jackson, TX. Memorials: Hallettsville Volunteer Fire Department or charity of your choice.