MAJOR KENNETH D. BELL, (US Army Retired), beloved husband, best friend, father, brother, uncle and grandfather passed away at home in Dallas Texas on the 17th of April 2014, while in the arms of his wife. His health had been deteriorating since a heart attack and strokes in 1999. His fine doctors whom he was very grateful to extended his life for another 15 years. He was born on May 15th 1938 in Leetsdale PA, the second of seven children. He loved basketball, an All State basketball player in High school. After graduation and a couple of months working in the steel mills he joined the Army in 1957 and served 22 years with two tours of duty in Germany, two tours in Vietnam, and three years in Bangkok Thailand. He graduated from the Infantry Officers Candidate School, Ft. Benning, GA in 1963, the US Army Adjutant General School in 1968, received a BS degree in Business Administration from Robert Morris College PA with a Certificate of Honor in 1973, a MA degree from Central Michigan University in 1977, while attending the Command and Staff College at Ft. Leavenworth KS, in 1977. After graduation he stayed at Ft. Leavenworth and resurrected the Club System before retiring from the Service. During his military career he received 3 Bronze Stars for Heroism in ground Combat, 2 Meritorious Service Medals (First Oak Leaf Cluster) the Air Medal, the Army Commendation Medal, The Army Good conduct Medal, The National Defense Medal, The Vietnam Service Medal, The Vietnam Armed Forces Honor Medal, The Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Silver Star, The Vietnam Campaign Medal. When his entrepreneurial spirit took flight it was time for him to join the civilian world. He was recruited by the Hilton Corporation in 1979. He was the Food and Beverage director of the KC Airport Hilton, managed the Dinner Horn, then went on to oversee the renovation and revival of the once famous Elms Resort Hotel and Spa in Excelsior Springs, MO. While at the Elms he formed K&B Hotel Management Inc in 1982. He moved to Dallas Texas in 1984. Managing several hotel/motels for the FADA and several hotel/motel acquisitions in Texas, New Mexico and Pennsylvania kept him on the road. He loved the hotel business. In his business career his greatest joy was to be a mentor to the hundreds of loyal staff and employees. They had tremendous respect for him including several investors who had faith in him. A man of honor and integrity, his greatest disappointment in life was the discovery of dishonest, undermining business partners. It was devastating to him. He is preceded in death by his father Harry S. Bell and mother Irma C. Bell of Leetsdale PA, his brothers Harry, Jim and George. He is survived by the mother of his children Ingelore Smith, Leavenworth KS, son David Bell and wife Tish, Weston, MO, son Gary and daughter Jennifer Bell of St. Louis MO. His devoted wife Brunny of 29 years, and her children Geoffrey M. Berbary and wife Virginia, step grandchildren Sophia and Isabella, daughter Laura Marie and husband Duane K. Okimoto of Frisco TX. Brothers SgtMajor Marine Corps Richard Bell and wife Kathryn (Kittie) of Jacksonville NC, David Bell of Ambridge PA, sister Elizabeth and husband Ken Skender of Rochester NY, sisters in law Donna Bell-Sawhill and husband Edward, Moon Township PA, Darleen Bell of Pickerington OH, Patricia A. Bell of Ambridge PA, Sieglinde Schaefer Dacicz and husband Soko, brother in law Siegfried A. Hepp and wife Monika of Frankfurt/ Main Germany, numerous aunts, uncles, nieces nephews and cousins in PA, NY, and Fla. In lieu of flowers the family would appreciate a donation to the Fisher House or the Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund. Military Honors and the gathering of family and friends will take place on Sunday April 27 at 1PM at the ARIA Funeral Home, 10116 E. NW Hwy, Dallas Texas 75238. 1-800-238-ARIA. Arrangements are under the direction of:ARIA Cremation Service & Funeral Home10116 E. NW HighwayDallas, Texas 75238214.340.8008