Pat R. Bell, 85, of Columbia, KY died Wednesday, January 23, 2019 at Baptist Health in Lexington, KY. He was born October 31, 1933 in Pine Knot, KY to the late Oscar & Betsey Halcomb Bell.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife of 50 years, Mary Martha Collins Bell, and 6 siblings: John Conley Bell, Alma Jo Bell Kidd, Evelyn Bell Rowe, Doyle V. Bell, Jack R. Bell & Robert R. Bell.
Pat was a United States Army Veteran serving from August 16, 1955 to August 15, 1957, loved to travel, having been as far as Spain, Portugal and Russia, and had attained a Master’s Degree in Administration from Eastern Kentucky University. He was a member of the Adair & McCreary County Jaycees and Rotary Club and avid painter where he would sell his paintings and donate the money from those paintings. Pat was a former Junior high school teacher in Tennessee before taking an administrator position as a finance officer, assistant superintendent and superintendent at the McCreary County Board of Education. After leaving education, he went on to become the Executive Director of the Lake Cumberland Area Development District and the Lake Cumberland District Health. Pat also served as the mayor of Columbia for six years.
Pat served on many boards and committees, such as the Appalachian Regional Commission’s Research Committee, the Governor’s Economic Development Commission, NARC Staff Directors Advisory Committee, the Kentucky Planning Association & Industrial Development Council, American Institute of Planning, American Academy of Health Administration, the Kentucky Chair of the Health Department Association and the KPHA Board of Directors.
Some of Pat’s accomplishments & achievements include expanding the Lake Cumberland District Health to a ten county district, constructing & renovating all health departments, outstanding achievement for the Kentucky Association of District Directors, community service award from the Somerset-Pulaski County Chamber of Commerce, recognized on behalf of comprehensive health planning agency by U.S. Department of Health. He was the first Kentuckian to be awarded the lifetime achievement award from the Development Districts of Appalachian Association as part of the Appalachian Regional Commission. In 2011, he was also awarded the Donald R. Meyers Humanitarian Award from the Appalachian Regional Commission.
SURVIVORS:
1 Son: Robert C. Bell of Campbellsville
1 Daughter: Jennifer K. Bell (Anne Marshall) of Lexington
Several other relatives & friends
Funeral Service: Saturday, January 26, 2019 at 12 Noon at Grissom-Martin Funeral Home with Laura Harris officiating
Burial: Haven Hill Cemetery
Visitation: After 9:00 A.M. Saturday
Casket Bearers: Mark Harris, Byron Bell, Mark Bell, Eric Hare, Jason Cross, Mike Glasgow & Dennis Loy
In lieu of flowers, memorials are requested to the ACHS Art Department or the Pat Bell Administrative Fund at the Lake Area Foundation, P.O. Box 1570, Russell Springs, KY 42642.
Grissom-Martin Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.
