Obituary: Bell, Clair Henry “Pete”

BELL, Clair Henry “Pete”
(Age 67)

Passed away from heart failure at his home in Cheney, WA a day shy of his 68th birthday in the early morning hours of April 5th, 2016.

Pete was born in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania to his Father Ulysses Bell and Mother Florence (Gross) Bell on April 6th 1948.

His siblings are Edward Bell (deceased), Ulysses Bell, Michael Bell (deceased), Peggy Bell, and Michelle Bell; Pete also has many foster brothers and sisters that he always thought of as family.

He was a loving husband, father, brother and son and is survived by his wife Tammy Bell; his children Scott, Hank, and Michael Bell, as well as his daughter Skye Peraud (Bell); his grandchildren Alex, Grace and Christian Bell, Abigail Asan, Katelyn and Faith Bell, Addy and Jude Peraud.

His granddaughter Chiara Bell made the journey to Heaven before him.

This list does not even begin to touch the multitudes of lives Pete had a significant impact on.

Pete was raised in Harrisburg, PA where he attended and graduated from Bishop McDevitt High School and then enlisted into the United States Air Force to be an airplane mechanic, but eventually became a computer systems analyst.

He served his country honorably in times of peace and war including several tours in Vietnam.

He was stationed in Germany, Iceland, and England as well as multiple bases within the United States.

He retired from active duty in 1988 with over 21 years of federal service and, with his family, decided to settle in Cheney, WA where he continued to serve the U.S Air Force through civil service.

Through his time in the military Pete became involved in many activities outside the military realm including playing Santa Claus, coaching basketball, and volleyball and officiating football, basketball, volleyball and softball.

Pete played the role of Santa Claus for many years off and on including many trips to the Deaconess Children’s Cancer Ward.

He would raise funds for this particular “gig” by working parties for families, friends, and even the town of Cheney for donations that he would put toward gifts and stockings for the children in the cancer ward.

This was an act of extreme sacrifice and joy for him as afterward it would take him several days to recover emotionally and be back to the normal jovial man we all knew and loved.

He always was very active in sports and officiated each sport as long as he felt “he could keep up with the game” for he wanted to put his best foot forward, make the right call, and perform the task with all of his heart.

He not only loved the game, but he cared for the players and coaches more.

He slowly had to drop sports as life took its toll on his body, but he remained active in softball for more than 30 years and in volleyball until almost the bitter end.

He officiated volleyball for more than 40 years and held several offices in the Spokane Area Volleyball Referees Association (SAVRA) including multiple years as the SAVRA’s President.

He was recently inducted as the SAVRA’s first member of the Hall of Fame and the Association has named the annual Pete Bell Inspirational Referee Award in his honor.

Pete was known, loved and admired by many in the sports world across the region, throughout the US and he served internationally in his early years.

Pete was loved and will be missed by many from several walks of life.

Please join us in the celebration of Pete’s life at his Memorial Service at the Cheney Funeral Chapel, 1632 W. First St. Cheney, WA at 1 PM on 23 April, 2016.

There will be a short reception with refreshments to follow.

Pete’s final resting place will be in the Veteran’s Memorial Cemetery in Medical Lake, WA.

CHENEY FUNERAL CHAPEL, Cheney, WA