Herbert Joseph Bell, Jr, beloved Husband, Father, Grandfather, Brother and friend, passed away peacefully on June 24, 2024, surrounded by his family. Herb was born on February 25, 1940 at Fort Bliss Army Medical Center in El Paso, TX, the son of Col. Herbert J. Bell, MD and Evelyn Bush Bell. Though born on an Army base in Texas, Herb’s family roots were in Wisconsin and Illinois, where he maintained close ties with his Bell cousins, whom each considered as siblings.

Having grown up in a military environment, Herb was very Patriotic. He never failed to stand for the National Anthem and put his hand over his heart–even if it was only on TV. Friends and colleagues noted his subtle humor, admired his kindness and quiet generosity and his dependability. He was always ready to lend a helping hand—and never met a stranger. Curiosity was a driver in his personality. He was curious about almost anything. From how something was built, how it worked, to why it broke. His workbench was always piled with appliance, car parts and tools, awaiting his forensic examination. After marrying Margaret, who was from Louisiana, he dove into the Cajun culture and embraced it. Before long, he was experiencing boating in the swamp in a bateau boat, eating and preparing exotic Cajun food and holding annual crawfish boils. He was curious about every culture he encountered from Europe to Asia, where he sought out local food and drink, and gleefully joined in singing and dancing!.

After graduating from Cathedral High School in El Paso, Herb attended the University of Texas–El Paso (UTEP), earning a BS Degree in Mechanical Engineering in 1963. While attending UTEP, he was a 4-year member of the ROTC, which launched his military service. Among his assignments, Herb served a tour of Duty in Vietnam, with the 70th Engineering Combat Battalion, and was awarded the Armed Forces Combat Expeditionary Medal (Vietnam).

After Herb completed his military service, he embarked on a professional career as a Petroleum Engineer in the oil & gas industry. During the next 50+ years, he was employed by both Major and Independent Oil companies in Texas, with expertise in Oil Reserves Management. He was also very active in industry organizations, including The Texas Society of Professional Engineers (with a Life Membership); and the Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE), in which he held several Offices, including Chairman of the Dallas Chapter. In 2010, he was honored as Engineer of the Year at the SPE International Conference in Denver. He was also internationally known for his voluntary Membership Recruitment of thousands of new SPE members. Herb retired in 2015 as Vice President of Operations with an independent oil company in Dallas.

Herb was a man of few words, but he could convey almost anything by the look in his eyes. That turned out to be a blessing once he was no longer able to verbally communicate. He managed to accept his condition as it advanced and even managed to smile and stay content to his last day.

Wayne Elmo “Moe” Owens was born on January 9, 1947, in Stephenville, Texas to Wayne and Ora (Griffin) Owens. He entered the gates of Heaven on December 2, 2024, at the age of 77 years old. He passed peacefully at home surrounded by his loving and adoring family after fighting a courageous battle with pancreatic cancer.

Wayne left Texas and moved to Lindsay, Oklahoma at 17 years of age to work in the oilfield. That’s the time he moved in across the street from a young lady who became the “love of his life” Carolyn Sue Scruggs. Wayne and Carolyn married August 13, 1966, and were married over 58 years. Two weeks after marriage, on September 11, 1966, he was drafted to the U.S. Army where he spent a year in Vietnam in the 70th Combat Engineers. He was honorably discharged on September 11, 1968. This is when he and Carolyn returned to Texas and started their family. This union brought them two daughters he adored, Alissa Shea and Stacy Lynn.

Once he returned to Texas, he became a surveyor and helped build Interstate 20. In 1971, they returned back to Oklahoma and the oilfield, starting out in Ratliff City, Oklahoma, then moving to Foster, Oklahoma in 1977. He worked for Carl’s Inc. as a pusher/supervisor for 19 years. Wayne was well known throughout the oilfield as “Moe” or “Mighty Moe”. In 1980, Moe established a business known as Moe’s Portable Steam Company doing oilfield steam cleaning. After 44 years the business is still ongoing. Moe was a very hard worker and provided well for his family.

Wayne’s hobbies were hunting and going to deer camp with his family and friends, bar-b-que-ing ribs and brisket, and making his special “Moe Beans” for any given reason or time. He enjoyed farming, watching his cattle, and watching westerns – mainly GUNSMOKE. He loved his family and enjoyed many vacations with them. He had a heart of gold, willing to help anyone in need.
He was blessed with 3 grandsons and took great pride in them and their accomplishments: Grant Coles, Jordan Coles, and Brock Roady. Later in life he gained two more grandsons, Cory Miller and Nicholas Miller. 2024 saw the birth of his greatest joy of all, his first great-grandson, Owen Thomas Coles. His face would light up with a big smile when he saw Owen, even on his worst days.

Wayne was a member of First Baptist of Elmore City. He carried a cross in his pocket and would show it to others saying, “I have Jesus in my heart!”

Weldon K. Weigle

Milton Calvin Grantham, 83, of Richmond, Virginia, passed away peacefully on September 20, 2025. He was born on March 6, 1942, in Portsmouth, Virginia to the late Rev. Wade L. Grantham and Mrs. Mary B. Grantham.

Milton graduated from Armstrong High School in 1960, and Hampton Institute (now University) in 1965 with a bachelor’s degree in Architecture. He proudly served his country in Vietnam as a First Lieutenant in the 70th Engineering Battalion of the U.S. Army. As a result of his service, Milton received the National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal, and the Vietnam Service Medal. He built a successful career as an architectural engineer at Reynolds Metal Co., and later AT&T.  Upon retirement, he worked for the City of Richmond Public Schools applying the same dedication and skills used in his profession for many years. Later in life, Milton demonstrated his commitment to personal growth and discipline by achieving the rank of 3rd degree black belt in Tae Kwon Do at Dong’s Karate.

Milton was a member of Unity of Richmond Church, where he was a member of the Men of Unity service group, involved with the Interfaith Council of Greater Richmond, and an usher.

Milton was a Lifetime member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity. He was initiated in the Beta Chi Chapter at Hampton Institute in 1962, on the fourth line. He was also a member of Pershing Rifles in R.O.T.C. at Hampton.

He enjoyed playing chess, listening to jazz, history and politics.

It’s been said: “One way to remember who you are is to remember who your heroes are.” Kenneth Wayne “Kenny” Simerly, who died Sept. 27, was a hero to some and a friend to many. A veteran of the Vietnam War, Simerly served two years in the war-torn country during the TET Offensive as a combat engineer. “Kenny loved God, his country and his family. It was the little things he did for total strangers that made him the man he was. He was reminded every day of the need to sacrifice, to give and to love to make life better not only for others but for himself,” said his wife of 49 years, Patty.

Simerly was not only the love of her life, but also her hero. “He suffered from PTSD, though few knew it.

During his time in Vietnam, he was exposed to gases. He knew firsthand the effects of war, but it helped make him the man he was,” she shared through a broken voice.

After his military service, Simerly worked 40 years with the Tennessee Department of Transportation as an engineer, covering much of East Tennessee. “Everyone who worked with him had a good story and joke to tell,” his wife shared.

A talented man, Simerly left his mark on many people, especially the youth of Elizabethton. An avid sports fan, he spent much of his spare time coaching soccer, baseball and basketball. “He not only coached youth, but taught them kindness, compassion and respect. He was an encourager and shared not only how to play the game, but how to live life,” Patty said.

During his school days, Kenny played football and softball and maintained lifelong friendships with many classmates.

Simerly was a people person. “He could talk to total strangers, to those down and out, and he encouraged everyone he coached or went to church with. He dedicated his life to caring for those around him, leaving behind a legacy of love, laughter and unwavering devotion. He had a special love for young people, but he enjoyed working with people of all ages,” Patty shared.

In addition to coaching, Simerly enjoyed boating and skiing at Watauga Lake and found great pleasure in working with old cars — buying, selling and restoring them. “He found joy in a lot of things, especially music. He had a passion for gospel music and being with other Christians,” his wife said.

Sandy was born February 02, 1947 in Minneapolis, MN. He was the second oldest of sixteen children who grew up in Lauderdale, MN. Sandy graduated from Alexander Ramsey High School in 1966. 

The year after graduating he was drafted into the Vietnam War, serving as a Combat Engineer with the US Army 1967-1969. He returned home a proud Veteran, and reminisced occasionally about the war, sharing that he had spent his 21st birthday in a foxhole, and had experienced some triumphs amongst the difficult losses during his service in Vietnam. 

Sandy married his first wife, Sharon, in December 1966. They had three children together, a son and two daughters, and lived in Blaine. Sandy later married Barb in October 1993. They had one daughter and along with Barb’s son lived in Oakdale.

Sandy worked as a Master Craftsman in furniture repair. He was an all-around handyman. He loved to garden, cook, hunt, fish, and spend time at his property in Crosslake. He enjoyed building furniture, spoiling his animals, and keeping his family updated on the latest weather changes. He was a generous and caring man. He would always tell you to “drive safe” and “take care of yourself” and make sure you had everything you needed when you visited him. 

Sandy passed away peacefully at home on February 07, 2024.