A beloved father, grandfather, friend and horseman, Glenn Byron 'Gus' Bell passed away peacefully July 4 in the care of the Veteran's Administration Hospice in Lexington, Kentucky. With a sobriquet like the 'Working Agent' inscribed below his name on his business cards, Bell defined his craft and his outlook on life. He spent nearly a half century in the equine industry as a bloodstock agent based in the Bluegrass region.
As a Lexington native, Bell was a graduate of Lafayette High School before heading out of state to Marshall University, where he was an accomplished football player for the Thundering Herd. Subsequently, he served as a Commissioned Officer in the U.S. Army, as helicopter pilot in the 173rd Airborne Brigade from 1964 to 1968.
Not one to speak of his honors, his family would like to highlight his combat medals and commendations. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, Cross of Gallantry with Silver Star, the Bronze Star Medal with Valor, Bronze Star Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, the Vietnam Service Medal, the Air Medal with 27 Oak Leaf Clusters and the Vietnam Campaign Medal National Defense Service Medal.
As a Thoroughbred bloodstock agent, Bell worked in Kentucky and around the world. Known for his kindness, integrity, keen eye for a horse and his yellow golf cart at the sales, Bell was always quick with a joke or a kind word. Above all else, he honored his trusted clients and respected the majestic horses he loved.
Bell prided himself on accepting people from all walks of life and was a pillar of the recovery community in Lexington for more than 35 years. Known for his no-nonsense mentoring style, he embodied servant leadership. He never expected anything from those in crisis that he was not prepared to give himself and he was always willing to help anyone who wanted to help themselves.
Serving in several capacities in the Lexington area as an educator, administrator and Board Member at the Sayre School, Bell was admired and beloved by his students and colleagues. He enjoyed music, food and maintaining a golf handicap of six. In addition, he caught the biggest fish ever known in Kentucky, but unfortunately no one was there to see it.
Bell was preceded in death by his mother Norma Bell, father Robert Marcum, sisters Bobby Looper, Beverly Bell and beloved cousin Jay Spurrier. He is survived by longtime companion Barbara Beaney of Danville, his children Jessica Bell of Atlanta, Georgia, Patrick Bell (Vanessa) and Desha Bell both of Lexington; niece Cynthia Looper, and cousins Allison Spurrier, Katherine Spurrier Ferster (Todd), Hunter Spurrier and four cherished granddaughters Casey Cherry of Cincinnati, Ohio–Zaida, Rilke and Parker, all of Lexington.
Visitation will take place at Milward Funeral Directors at 391 Southland Drive in Lexington Thursday, July 13 from 4:00 p.m.-6:00 p.m. ET, with a service afterwards. The burial will take place the following day at Camp Nelson with family and friends in-attendance.
In lieu of flowers please send donations 'In Memory of Gus Bell' to the Hope Center of Lexington.
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