Tommy O'Neal Bell

Tommy O’Neal Bell, 68 a longtime resident of Lake Sumner, NM died Tuesday, July 13, 2004 at Plains Regional Medical Center in Clovis, NM following an illness. Tommy was born August 15, 1935 in Portales, NM to the home of George Clark Bell and the former Freda Olive Blevins. He was reared at Arch, NM and attended school at Portales. Tommy served in the U.S. Air Force and the U.S. Army. Beginning in 1961 Tommy worked in law enforcement in Texas and New Mexico. He served the New Mexico communities of Clovis, Portales, and Melrose. He made his home at Lake Sumner from the mid 1980’s until moving to Clovis in 2003. Tommy married Betty Bell on April 20, 1978. Tommy was a member of the Fraternal Order of Police and a Veteran of the U.S. Air Force where he served for 6 ½ years. He was preceded in death by his wife Betty on December 13, 1992; a grandson Michael Thomas; brother Hector; and two sisters Eunice and Betty. Following Tom’s death two brothers, Junior Bell died on July 29, 2004 and Buddy Bell died September 29, 2004. Survivors include daughters Desiree Hodges of Clovis, NM; Kimberly Ann Longhurst and husband Marcos of Dallas, TX; Lisa McGinnis and husband Billy of Melrose, NM; and a son Tommy Bell Jr. of Flagstaff, AZ; two sisters Wyvion Ware of Portales, NM, Mary Jean Johnson of Phoenix, AZ; two sisters-in-law Essie Bell of Farmington, NM; and Peggy Bell of Lake Sumner, NM. Also surviving are numerous nieces, nephews, and grandchildren including Brittany Padilla, Raven Padilla, Justin Hodges, Leighton Finney, and Ashley Cash. Cremation has taken place. Memorial services will be held at 5:00 P.M. Saturday, October 16, 2004 from the Chavez Funeral Home Chapel. All arrangements are under the direction of Chavez Funeral Home, 804 N. Fifth Street; Fort Sumner, New Mexico. (505) 355-2311 www.chavezfuneralhome.com