Events
Graveside
Larkin Sunset Gardens, 1950 E Dimple Dell Road, Sandy, UT 84092Wednesday May 21, 2025 1:00 PM
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Michael (Mike) Douglas Bell of Sandy, Utah, devoted son, husband, father, grandfather, friend, and veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps – 1st Force Recon, passed away peacefully in his sleep on May 10, 2025, at the age of 78 after a brief battle with gastroesophageal cancer. The family is deeply saddened and shocked by his sudden death and will greatly miss him. Michael was born on January 8, 1947.
Mike was preceded in death by his parents, George and Geneva; sisters, Elizabeth (Clyde) Haslam, Donna (Dean) Johnson, Joan (Bill) Nienke; and brother, Ronald (Nikki), and many friends and brothers in arms.
Mike is survived by his wife Leslie (Werner) of 54 years; and their children, Addam (Jennifer), and Aimee (Jason) McDaniel. Forever cherished and remembered by his seven grandchildren, Shawn, Dimitri, Annabella, Jackson, Sophie, William, Pepper, his many nieces and nephews, as well as lifelong friends Lynn Clark, Jerry Maroney, Jerry Westenskow, Bill Woodier, David “Stick” Nelson, and David “Gertie” Gugich, and many others.
During his senior year at Bountiful High School, he also attended TradeTech (which is now Salt Lake Community College) and worked at night at Litton Industries making guidance systems for military aircraft. After his graduation in 1965, Mike enlisted in the Marine Corps, having always wanted to be a Marine and serve his country. While he ultimately went to Radio School, he had first attended Flight School and never lost his love of flying.
While in Radio School, Mike volunteered for Force Recon and was assigned to the 1st Recon Battalion upon graduating. He served in Vietnam from 1966 – 1967 with a Top-Secret clearance. During his time in Vietnam he participated in 7 different Operations, performed 36 documented long range combat reconnaissance patrols and an additional 18 undocumented ones as he was often asked for by name due to his expertise and skills. He received numerous awards and medals, was wounded multiple times, and took over 200 hours of Marine Corps Institute (MCI) courses before being honorably discharged in 1971.
After the Marines, Mike worked nights at Albertson’s where he met his wife (he really liked her mini skirt). He married her 7 months later on February 11, 1971. She convinced him to go back to school and attended Weber State University and graduated with Honors as a machinist and later received a degree with Honors in Manufacturing Engineering Technology.
Some of his greatest joys came from spending time with his family and his cats. He loved traveling to Air/Car Shows, Marine Corps reunions, or anywhere his wife wanted to on vacation. Those who knew Mike will remember him for his outgoing personality, joyful storytelling, incredible generosity, infectious smile, and roaring laugh. He was always the mother hen and was quick to reach out and check up on those he loved – which included a regular “nose count” of his cats at least once a day. He loved to be needed and was quick to serve and give of his time, talents and money.
He took an active role in the lives of his children, their friends and spouses, and his grandchildren by celebrating their accomplishments and teaching them important life skills or sharing advice. He was extremely proud when his son Addam followed in his footsteps and joined the Marine Corps and even taught his daughter-in-law, Jennifer, how to weld a stinger they designed together for her Jeep. He was always quietly proud of Aimee’s artistic accomplishments and when she learned how to fix things around her own house. He was especially impressed with her recently when she even fixed her microwave! He loved Jason as his own and could never stay in a grumpy mood when Jason was around.
Mike had many interests throughout his life and had an unquenchable thirst for knowledge, often spending his spare time researching topics of interest, reading books, designing and/or building things like a Cobra sports car, an airplane and helicopter parts, and many other projects, including some with his various jobs which were, at times, top secret. He had a lifelong love of music and regretted never learning to read music and when he lost his ability to sing late in life.
A graveside service with full military honors will be held in his honor at the Larkin Sunset Gardens Cemetery in Sandy, Utah, on Wednesday, May 21, 2025, at 1:00 p.m. and a Celebration of Life afterwards (details to be provided day of). In lieu of flowers, funeral expense donations are greatly appreciated. Monetary donations can be made directly to Mike's wife, Leslie Bell.
Guestbook/Condolences
I knew Mike briefly. We only met a few times. I’m Jason’s sister. But he always welcomed me in his home. He had a glow about him of happiness. What a wonderful man. He shall be missed.
We met Mike after our son married his Daughter Aimee. He was kind and welcoming to us. He was very supportive of our son Jason and his children. I’m sorry for his passing and know he will be missed. The silence will be heard and felt by us all!
He was my grandpa, and I will never forget his quick and friendly responses. I was with him at the time of his death, and I can confidently say he passed away peacefully. He will forever live on in my heart and mind, and I know he will always be honored in my family. He was the bravest man I ever met and had the best sense of humor, even in his final days. My siblings and I always loved to hear his stories about his time in the Marines, as well as his pranks and tales shared during family reunions.
I’ve know Mike since high school although not that well however all I need to know he was a brother in harms a fellow Marine Semper Fi Mike rest in peace brother
I will never forget the first time I met Mike. I had just moved in across the street just before Christmas. I went to introduce myself one evening and when Mike answered the door he made me feel so welcomed loved. I quickly felt like I was a close friend. Mike was always willing to help me when I needed it. He bailed me out of some repair problems several times. I will miss his smile and quick sense of humor and love for life.❤️
Mike has been my buddy for a long time.
I keep waiting for his next SITREP text request, which will not come. We bonded over love of cars, horsepower, all things aviation and shared experiences in Vietnam. His sense of humor was always there to make me laugh even in the toughest times. Mike loved his wife, family, country and friends, in that order. I’ll miss you buddy,
I already do. RIP brother. 🇺🇸🫡
I'm so very sorry to hear of your loss! I have such special memories of your family and ours as neighbors and friends!
Mike became a surrogate father for me in high school. Being a friend of his son Addam, I spent many days with those two working on the Cobra, that time spent with them shaped my adult hobbie and passion. To this day I still will credit Mike and Addam for helping me find and nurturing something that has become such a deep ingrained part of my life, the passion for building. Mikes humor always kept us in stitches while teaching us so many things. I still think back on some of the highlights of my life and he is in so many of them.
Mike is my uncle, and my mother's youngest brother. He has always been to me a working man's engineer who could design and then build whatever he designed, and on his own equipment. He always helped me develop new things that required a skilled mechanical and manufacturing engineer, and he never failed to get it done. He built some very complicated fixtures in his day and many times we were making it up as we went. He saved our bacon many times. Leslie, Aimee and Addam, your father was always someone I could look up to for what he accomplished. He was the first in our family to get through university and many of us nieces and nephews followed in his footsteps. He showed us the way and made it look doable. He scared the pants off us during the Vietnam war, but he scared me even more when he started to tell me about what he actually did and the close calls. I will miss him very much. Mark.
Very authentic, grateful for his service to my country and my family's future. Thanks to his sacrifices I lead a comfortable life. Rest in peace Mike.
Dear Bell Family,
Our office noted with sadness the passing of your loved one, Michael, and we wish to send our condolences and sincere sympathy to you and your family at this time of bereavement. As a member of Weber State University’s extended family, friends and associates will miss him.
While we realize a condolence letter cannot lessen your sense of loss, we want to let you know that his achievements and contributions were appreciated at Weber State University.
Sincerely,
Nancy B. Collinwood
Executive Director of Alumni Relations
We are deeply saddened to learn of Mike’s passing. He is such a kind and gentle soul. He welcomed us into his home where we had an opportunity to learn about his many loves - especially his Leslie! We send our condolences and love to all of his family and express gratitude to have shared a tiny piece of his life.
Walt and Janet Brooks
We are deeply saddened to learn of Mike’s passing. He is such a kind and gentle soul. He welcomed us into his home where we had an opportunity to learn about his many loves - especially his Leslie! We send our condolences and love to all of his family and express gratitude to have shared a tiny piece of his life.
Walt and Janet Brooks
I just yesterday learned of the passing of my old friend. It was around 50 years ago I think when we lost contact with each other. I thought about him many times over the years. Several times I tried to locate him without success. I even attended our 50th high school reunion hoping he’d be there. (That’s the only reunion I ever went to) How ironic and frustrating to learn you’ve been neighbors with my niece Katy! So close yet so far. I would have loved to see Mike and catch up. I’m so sorry for your loss and wish you comfort as you readjust. (Didn’t we all look so young in your wedding photo!)