Coach

Paul Lewis Bell, 89, of Eufaula, Oklahoma, passed away Saturday, February 19, 2022 in Eufaula, Oklahoma. He was born September 16, 1932 in Bixby, Oklahoma. Paul was the son of Charles Edmund Bell and Mildred Lee McMannis Bell. In his youth, he spent much time accompanying his father, who was a driller, to the oil fields. Paul eventually became a tool-dresser at age 15 working after school and during school breaks. He attended the Methodist Church, and was baptized at age 17. Paul attended Bixby High School and was captain of the football team. He was greatly influenced by his football coach, whose mentorship sparked the desire in Paul to teach and influence young students. Paul married his high school sweetheart, Valta Lucille Johnson, in 1951. They were married for 69 years, until her death in the summer of 2020. Shortly after graduating high school, he enlisted into the Army and was stationed in the Panama Canal Zone at Fort Kobbe. He was on the boxing team and won many bouts for Fort Kobbe where he quickly became known as “The Boy from Oklahoma.“ After serving in the Army, Paul attended Northeastern State College, now NEOSU, where he played football on the team that won the 1958 NAIA National Championship. Paul received his Bachelors in Education with a major in Industrial Arts in 1959. After graduating, Paul spent two years as an assistant football coach in Stigler, Oklahoma before taking the position of Head Coach of 19 years at Eufaula High School. His football teams won 2 regional championships, 3 district titles, and we’re black diamond conference champions 3 times. Paul helped 4 high school All-Americans, 3 Oklahoma High School Players of the Year, and 8 All-Staters. Paul coached track for 15 years, developing 3 individual State Champions. As wrestling coach for 5 years, there were 2 individual State Champions. Paul was instrumental in developing the boxing program at Eufaula in the 1960s and early 1970s. He closed out his coaching career in Hugo, Oklahoma (3 years) and at Holdenville, Oklahoma (2 years). As a member of the Oklahoma Coaches Association, Paul served as President, Vice President, Hall of Fame Committee Chairman, and served on the OCA District 6 Board of Control. Paul served on the Board of Directors of the National High School Athletic Association. In 1990, Paul was inducted into the Oklahoma Coaches Association Hall of Fame. Of all the honors Paul has received, the one closest to his heart was the renaming of the Ironhead Football Stadium in Eufaula to Paul Bell Stadium. Paul’s desire was to be a positive influence on all of his students. In regards to his athletes, he has said many times: “any awards or honors I have received are due to my athletes, who made me look like a good coach.” Survivors include: daughter, Teresa Bell, of Eufaula; his daughter-in-law, Brenda Bell of Wagoner; his grandchildren, Ginger Kelley and husband Jason of Fort Smith, Julie Bailey and husband Mark of Henryetta, Luke Harris and wife Kimberly of Tulsa, Annie Bell of Wagoner and John Paul "J.P. " Bell and wife Tiffany of Wagoner; great grandchildren, Colton Kelley and Zander Kelley of Fort Smith, Leo Harris and Ila Harris of Tulsa, Annabelle Anderson of Henryetta, Lily Bell and Lucy Bell of Wagoner; great godson Jake Nance and wife Nicole of Eufaula. He is preceded in death by his parents, son, Paul Bell, Jr. and his wife, Lucille Bell.