Roll Call Tribute

Alan Crumley Bell 

November 3, 1935 - October 24, 2023 

Alan Crumley Bell (87) passed away peacefully at home in Conroe, Texas, on Tuesday, October 24, 2023, after a long battle with Parkinson's. He was born November 3, 1935, in Laredo, Texas, to parents Olin Grogan Bell and Wille Crumley Bell.

Alan is survived by his wife of 47 years, Penny; his daughter and her husband, Beverly Nan Allen and George; his son, Bruce; his sister, Margaret Bell Thompson; his nephew, Michael Thompson; his step-son and wife, James and Melanie Baird; grandchildren Daniel Allen and wife Irina , Chris Allen and wife Taylor, Will Allen and fiancé Kaylee Cogbill; step-grandchildren Jenna Baird, Megan Baird, Kaylee Baird, Ethan Baird; and two great-grandchildren, Karina and Frankie Allen. He was preceded in death by his sister Barbara Bell Baumgartner, and his step-daughter, Diana Ruth Bennett.

The father, Olin, a geologist for Humble Oil, moved the family to Houston when Mexico nationalized its petroleum reserves and facilities in 1938. Most of Alan's childhood was spent in a big house at 5519 Jackson. From ages 9 to 15, Alan delivered the Houston Chronicle on his bike and then his '39 Plymouth. He enjoyed remembering years later the names of his customers at each house. Alan loved telling people he could hear the lions roar at the Houston Zoo at night. His maternal grandfather used to share his room when he came for his annual visit. Alan never told his mother that grandpa kept a bottle of bourbon under the bed. After attending McGregor Elementary, Johnston Junior High, San Jacinto High School, Alan graduated from Kemper Military Academy, where his father sent him because he was spending too much time fixing cars with his buddies instead of studying.

After graduating from Texas A&M University in 1957, Alan became a geophysicist for Humble Oil & Refining Co. in East Texas for one year; married his first wife, Neva Jane Nelson; and then he served the U.S. Army at Fort Benning in Columbus, Georgia, and Fort Chaffee in Fort Smith, Arkansas. Active duty ended in 1959, and Alan found himself in New Orleans swamps for six months before Humble had space for him in the office. He liked to tell horror stories about the leeches he removed each day.

Again, ever the patriot, Alan went back to active duty from reserve status in 1961. That year the "Berlin Callup" occurred, when Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev demanded that the United States, Great Britain, and France remove their forces from West Berlin by the end of the year. Alan was sent to Fort Chaffee to teach basic trainees. He left active service with the rank of captain and was a reserve officer until July 1965.

The remainder of his career with big oil companies was destiny for the son of Olin. He worked on a seismic velocity project for Humble in New Orleans and took night classes in geology. In Lafayette, Louisiana, he worked for Tenneco and Columbia Gas Development Corporation. Houston became home again when he accepted a job with American Natural Gas. He joined Pines Presbyterian Church but, having recently divorced, met his second wife, Penny Pillow Baird, at the TGIS class at Memorial Drive Presbyterian Church. They were married at St. Thomas Presbyterian Church in October 1976.

The next year Alan went to work for Gulf Oil and remained with the company when they merged with Chevron. He retired from Chevron in September 1992 and formed his own Subchapter S corporation, which enabled him to become a working interest partner in oil and gas projects in Texas, Oklahoma, New Mexico, and Louisiana for more than 20 years. Alan was a longtime member of the AAPG, SEG, HGS, and GSH, professional groups.

While living in Lafayette, Louisiana, Alan served as an elder and choir member at the First Presbyterian Church. There he developed a love for singing church music. Alan sang tenor in the First Presbyterian Church of Conroe choir, in the Montgomery County Choral Society, the King's Men in Houston and the Chorus of the Woodlands barbershop choruses.

He also went on many camping trips to ride the rapids at New Braunfels with family and friends. After working in the office all day, he managed to drive tent stakes into the rocky ground at midnight on Fridays without cursing.

Relocation and travel became possible after retirement. Alan and Penny moved to Conroe in 1998, to live closer to his daughter. They built a house in the woods so they could watch the beautiful deer. They also enjoyed cruising and traveling to Europe, China, South America and, by travel trailer and motorhome, to many U.S. destinations. This freedom was curtailed when Alan was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease in 2013.

Growing up, Alan was the youngest by far of anyone in his family. His parents were in their mid-life when he was born, and they taught him to be quiet and respectful. He rarely became angry and never said had a harsh word to say about anyone. His demeanor, even with Parkinson's, was realistic, even-tempered, and loving. Among his loves were his wife and children, pets, home, travel, eating in restaurants, singing, visiting with family and friends, the oil business, and ice cream.

A memorial service for Alan will be at 10 a.m., Saturday, November 4, at the First Presbyterian Church of Conroe, located at 2727 North Loop 336, Conroe, Texas. Burial of his ashes will take place at Forest Park Lawndale in Houston on a later date.

The family would like to extend deep gratitude and appreciation to the Reverend Callie Candee and to the staff and members of the church for their assistance and care during this time. Also due many thanks are Alan's caregivers and Devotion Hospice for their attentive and tender care in recent weeks. In lieu of flowers, Alan's friends are asked to remember their favorite charity which might include the First Presbyterian Church of Conroe and Houston Area Parkinson's Society.