Dodge City - Ronald Dean Bell, 77, died July 9, 2026, at Harry Hynes Memorial Hospice in Wichita. He was born on September 6, 1948, in Manhattan, Kan., the son of Charles and Virginia (Eberhardt) Bell.

The Bell family lived in Marysville until moving to Dodge City in 1958, where Ron attended school, graduating Dodge City High School in 1966. In his youth, Ron loved working on cars, showing an early aptitude for mechanics as well as carpentry, engineering and organization.

After graduating high school, Ron worked as a short order cook, before enlisting in the Navy in 1967, where he served until receiving an honorable discharge in 1970. He served in Vietnam as a member of the "Seabees" United States Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 11, where he assisted with the construction of over 2,000 structures including tropical huts, shower facilities, galleys, and a chapel. He served additional tours in Guam and Okinawa, Japan.

Upon completion of service, he received a National Defense Service Medal, a Vietnam Service Medal with FMF Insignia, and a Vietnam Campaign Medal. A commanding officer noted during his service: "Ronald will exert maximum effort to complete any assigned task. He takes pride in doing any job well." It's a theme that would define Ron throughout the rest of his life.

After serving, Ron returned to southwest Kansas, working for National Beef in Dodge City from 1976 where he was in charge of Special Projects until his retirement in 2021. He married Alice Friesen September 28, 1974, and the two celebrated 51 years of marriage together.

Ron was known for his attention to detail, his focus and drive to see a job completed to his exacting standards. He approached every task he undertook with a craftsman's eye. He was a pitmaster, crafting mouthwatering masterpieces from his smoker and grill. Ron was a longtime die-hard fan of Kansas State University and the Kansas City Chiefs. He was an avid gardener. He was a provider. A maker. Ron was a source of steadfastness and love for his family and friends. Despite a sometimes gruff first impression, those who knew and loved Ron saw a soft, kind, loyal, and deeply supportive husband, father, brother, and friend.

Ron was a member of Holy Cross Lutheran Church, American Legion Post 47 and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1714 in Dodge City.

Ronald is survived by his wife Alice of the home; daughter Jennifer and her husband Mark Vierthaler of Tucson, Ariz.; son Kurtis and his wife Jordan Bell of Jetmore; and three grandchildren; Kolin Walker of Dodge City, Brynn Wilson and Alec Wilson of Jetmore. He is also survived by his sister Arlyce, and her husband, James Riedel, Portland, Ore.; and brother James, and his wife, Susan Bell, Downingtown, Pa. He was preceded in death by his parents, Charles and Virginia Bell, and a sister Marcia Snepp.

Memorial service will be held at Swaim Funeral Home, Dodge City on Monday, July 20 at 10:00 AM. Burial, with military honors by SWKS Funeral Honors and US Navy funeral detail, will follow at Fairview Cemetery in Montezuma. There will be no visitation, as cremation has taken place. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Harry Hynes Memorial Hospice in Wichita, in Memory of Ronald Bell. Memorials may be sent to Swaim Funeral Chapel or https://www.hynesmemorial.org/ways-to-donate/. Thoughts and memories may be shared in the online guestbook at www.swaimfuneralhome.com.