John Elliott Bell, M.D. Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

John Elliott Bell, M.D., known simply as “J Bell” to all who knew him, passed away on May 16, 2022, in Searcy, Arkansas. His admirers are legion. Born November 15, 1936, to Albert and Lillie Mae Bell, J grew up in Camden with his brother, Thomas “T” Bell. The brothers raised rabbits, became Eagle Scouts, and allegedly derailed a train. J graduated high school in 1954 and followed T to the University of Arkansas, where he joined Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity and enrolled at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences at the age of 20. During this time, he met his future wife, Jane Huggins, and they shared a wonderful life together over the next six decades. After graduation, marriage, and the birth of their first son, Brad, J and Jane struck out for west Texas, where they lived in a community called Quanah and welcomed another son, Jack. J and Jane always spoke fondly of Quanah and their friends there. J was especially proud of the hundreds of babies he delivered from all over the panhandle region and was honored that some of his patients chose to name their sons after him. Home called, and J returned to Arkansas for the birth of a third son, John, and a radiology internship at UAMS. This changed the course of his life and the history of Searcy. At UAMS, J met a young doctor named Robert Elliott, who invited J and Jane to move to Searcy and begin a radiology practice. At that point, the hospitals in Searcy were essentially “way stations,” where patients were triaged and sent to Little Rock for treatment. The addition of surgical services with doctors like Dr. Porter Rodgers, Jr. and Dr. Jim Simpson, coupled with the diagnostic services offered by Dr. Bell and Dr. Elliott, changed the face of the medical community. The level of care available in Searcy today is the direct result of bold decisions made by a group of young doctors in the late 1960’s. A lesser physician could be forgiven for his lack of skill if he had J Bell’s bedside manner. A foul-tempered doctor could be forgiven for his lack of a bedside manner if he had J Bell’s medical skills. Thousands of patients owe their lives and health to Dr. Bell’s fierce intellect and gentle nature. In an age when people are often told that they need to come in to talk to their doctor about their test results, folks in Searcy were likely to find Dr. Bell knocking on their doors to tell them what was happening and, more importantly, to make sure they understood and were comforted. The first CARTI facility outside of Little Rock was built in Searcy as a result of the efforts of Drs. Bell, Elliott, and Rodgers, who were the originators of the idea and prompted CARTI to expand. As a result, countless patients have been able to receive cancer care in their hometown instead of traveling to Little Rock. Dr. Bell and Dr. Elliott purchased the third Elscint CT scanner sold west of the Mississippi. Together, they helped create the future of diagnostic medicine in Arkansas. Joining them in that effort were a host of dedicated employees at Arkansas Radiology Group, P.A. They are too numerous to name, but they were all considered family, and most of the team never worked anywhere else. Dr. Bell was a professor at UAMS and a Fellow of the American College of Radiology. He was appointed by then-Governor Bill Clinton to the Arkansas State Medical Board, and he served for fifteen years, also under Governors Tucker, Huckabee, and Beebe. Humble to his core, when his friend Governor Beebe called to reappoint him, J advised that he had been honored to serve as long as he had, and he asked the Governor to appoint Dr. Jim Citty to replace him. The governor acted on this advice. J also served in the Arkansas Army National Guard, retiring as a Captain. A die-hard Razorback, J was a Broyles-Matthews Scholarship donor to the Razorback Foundation and rarely missed a game. The recent success of the Razorbacks was a highlight of the final years of his life. He enjoyed golf, hunting, and other recreational pursuits, but his family and friends were his greatest joys. Daddy J and Mama Jane loved their grandkids, and nothing pleased them more than when the entire crew came for “Mama Jane’s Fun Camp.” J and Jane traveled the world. In 2000, they were able to dance on the White House lawn during an event hosted by President Clinton and marveled at what a remarkable life they had led together and how far they had come. Left to honor his memory are Brad Bell; Jack Bell and Amy Bell; John Bell (Lindsey); his grandchildren, and a host of nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother, and his beloved wife. The family wishes to thank caregiver Cyndi Ellis, Hospice nurses Sonia and Christina, the staff of Arkansas Hospice, and all of the friends and admirers who came to visit J in the last few weeks. The family will receive visitors on Thursday, May 19, from 5:00 to 7:00 pm, and a service of remembrance is set for Friday, May 20, at 11:00 am. Both will be held at First Presbyterian Church, 400 West Arch Ave., Searcy, Arkansas. Memorials may be made to the CARTI Foundation at PO Box 55011, Little Rock, Arkansas 72215.

John Elliott Bell, M.D.

November 15, 1936 - May 16, 2022