Gary Lynn Bell

Gary Lynn Bell, age 65, of Southmayd, Texas passed away Wednesday, July 29, 2026, at his residence.

Gary was born February 4, 1961, in Sherman, Texas to Bobby James and Frances Earlene (Godsey) Bell. He graduated from Sherman High School with the Class of 1979. He was a Veteran of the United States Army, serving from 1982 until 1995. During his time of service, he was stationed in Georgia, Germany, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia (Desert Storm in 1991) and Korea achieving the rank of Sargent. During his service totaling 13 years, 8 months and 7 days he was awarded the following commendations: Army Achievement Medal, Army Lapel Button, Army Commendation Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Army Good Conduct Medal (4th Award), Kuwait Liberation Medal, NCO Professional Development Ribbon with Numeral 2, National Defense Service Medal, Overseas Service Ribbon with Numeral 3, Southwest Asia Service Medal with 3 Bronze Service Stars, Driver and Mechanic Badge, Expert Badge (Grenade), Sharpshooter Badge (Rifle). He was very humorous…he had a joke for all occasions. He enjoyed setting up at Trade Days and going to Flea Markets in his RV.

Gary spent several years working in the construction industry as a carpenter. He drove a delivery truck for North Texas Safety Corporation for a while.

Gary is Survived by his mother, Frances Dickson of Whitesboro, Texas; son, Kenneth “Kenny” Lewis Bell of Augusta, Georgia; daughters, Tiffany Marie Irwin and her husband Jared of Elizabethtown, Kentucky, Destiney Lynn Padilla and her husband Luis of Dallas, Georgia; grandchildren, Alyssa Irwin, Colby Padilla, Alley Padilla; great-grandson, Stetson Wayde Irwin; brother, Joe Bell of Texas; sisters, Peggy Goldson and her husband Tracy of Collinsville, Texas, Brenda Quick of Whitesboro, Texas, and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his father, Bobby James Bell and a brother, Kenneth Lewis Bell.

Funeral services honoring Gary Lynn Bell will be held at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, August 8, 2026, at Turrentine-Jackson-Morrow Funeral Home in Whitesboro, with Military Honors provided by the United States Army Honor Guard and will be officiated by Bobby Fletcher of Dorchester, Texas. Private family interment will follow at Kendell Chapel Cemetery with Randy Quick, Tracy Goldston, Layton Prestage, Jody Harris, Johnny Lee Godsey and Kenny Bell serving as pallbearers.

Family visitation will be held on Friday, August 7, 2026, from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at the funeral home.

Family has requested memorial contributions be made in Garys honor to The Wounded Warrior Project @ www.woundedwarriorproject.org.