C.P. served as the 74th TFS Squadron Commander at England AFB, LA, and as an F-100 Pilot earlier in the 48FBW/492FBS at Luke AFB, AZ, and during his combat tour in Viet Nam. His last assignment after HQ TAC was to Clovis AFB, NM, as the Wing DCM.
After the USAF, C.P. and his wife Mona moved to their 40 Acre Farm near Joplin, MO, and dabbled in Real Estate and Antique sales. CP’s favorite hobby was a 1940 Ford built for drag racing.
Clarence P. “C.P.” Bell, Col. USAF, Ret., Headed West on September 12, 2016.
C.P. Bell departed this earth to be with our heavenly father on September 12, 2016, after a courageous battle with Alzheimer’s disease.
C.P. was born to Charles C. Bell and Katherine Sullivan on October 17, 1933, in Oklahoma City, Okla. After graduating in 1952, he enlisted in the Air Force and qualified for pilot training.
On September 2, 1955, C.P. married the love of his life, Mona Harp, of Fairview. With assignments that took them around the globe, he spent 27 glorious years fulfilling his childhood dream of being a fighter pilot. Together, he and Mona raised four children, Tim (Azle, Texas), Ken (Diamond, Mo.), David (Williamsburg, Va.), and Brenda (Kansas City, Mo).
In his retirement, C.P. found great joy in building antique/classic cars and serving as a Deacon at The First Baptist Church, of Granby, Mo. Having missed much of his children’s’ childhood, due to his military deployments, he found unabashed joy in being a grandfather of 14 and a great-grandfather to 11.
C.P. spent the last two years of his life at The Manor at Elfindale, in Springfield, Mo., where he was loved and cared for by an amazing group of people in the Memory Support Unit. Surrounded by love, family, and the holy spirit, he went peacefully to his heavenly home. Forever he will be remembered for his caring heart, infallible guidance, undying love, and unconditional support of his friends and family
C.P. leaves behind Mona, his wife of 61 years, four children, 14 grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren, one sister, Rebecca Crep (Lewisville, Texas), and cousin “brother”, Jerry Sanders (Lebanon, Tenn.).
Memorial services were held with Full Military Honors. C.P. is buried at the Missouri Veterans Cemetery, Springfield, MO.
