Theo John Bell

T. Johnny Bell, 87, passed away on March 15, 2026.

T. Johnny Bell was born in April of 1938 in Mink Creek, Idaho, to Theo James and Edith Bell. He spent most of his youth in Preston on a family farm, where he learned how to work hard. Early on, he developed a great love of horses and of playing the violin. After graduating from Preston High School, he went to Utah State University, where he graduated with a degree in Animal Husbandry and then a teaching certificate in Elementary Education.

In 1963, he married Paula Weaver, with whom he had four children. He worked as a school teacher in Grace, Idaho, before switching to Arimo Elementary to teach, and finally ended a 30-year teaching career at McCammon, Idaho.

In 1978, Paula passed away, and he married Linda Bennett, who had three children from a previous marriage. He and Linda worked to blend their two families into one. They also had four children together, making a grand total of eleven children.

In addition to raising eleven kids, he found time to develop the skill of making violins. All told, he made at least nine violins and one ukelele. These required many hours of pain-staking, precise work, which he did late at night or on weekends. He gave these violins as cherished gifts. He played in the Utah State University orchestra and also loved playing in The Messiah production performed each year by the Arimo Idaho Stake. He even found time to teach violin lessons to students after school.

Johnny loved animals and always had some about the Bell place—dogs, cats, goats, horses, and occasionally pigs. He loved to work with horses, breaking them in and riding them. He enjoyed attending, and at times, participating in horse pulling events and cutter racing. As a young man, he worked summers as a cattle wrangler in Wyoming, as well as in Soda Springs, Idaho. When he moved to Virginia, Idaho, he worked for a local rancher in his spare time, helping drive cattle and repair fences, accepting hay as payment for his services.

Throughout his life, he spent much of his time serving in various ways in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. While a young man, Johnny served a mission to New Zealand Auckland Mission and later with his wife Linda, he served in the South Carolina Columbia Mission. He found great satisfaction in this. He also served as an officiator for several years in the Logan Utah temple.

On March 15, 2026, Johnny passed away in Pocatello, Idaho, after a brief illness, surrounded by his wife and many of his children. He is survived by his wife Linda, his children, Jennifer Adams (Robert), John W. Bell (Jennifer), Michelle Justice (Robert), Jessica Wadsworth (James), Darren S. Warth (Rebecca), Darrell S. Warth (Amy), Judith Christensen (Nick), Melissa M. Dietz (Kenneth), Matthew T. Bell (Rebekah), Jason L. Bell (Kathy), and Andrew K. Bell (Morgan), as well as 48 grandchildren and 36 great-grandchildren. He also is survived by two of his sisters, Marian Condie (Jay) and Katie Mathews (Dennis). He was preceded in death by his parents Theo James and Edith Bell, his wife Paula, his other two sisters Beverly Nash (Brent), and Beatrice Bell (who died at age two), as well as cherished grandchildren Robert Paul Adams, Lucy Bell, and Aurora Bell.

Johnny taught his family much about living a good life and how to face challenges with long-suffering, patience, and faith. He showed us how to love God and how to love our neighbors. And for that legacy, we gratefully thank him. We love him! He will be greatly missed by all who knew him.

His viewing and funeral services are as follows:

Viewing on April 2 at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints Virginia Ward Building, Virginia, Idaho, from 6-8pm.

Funeral on April 3 at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints Virginia Ward Building, Virginia, Idaho, with a viewing from 10-10:45am and the funeral beginning at 11:00am.

Graveside services will take place after the funeral at the Cambridge Cemetery, Downey, Idaho.

Memories and condolences may be shared by visiting the Guestbook below.