Glenn "Bellzie/Boogie/Dad" Bell

Glenn “Bellzie/Boogie/Dad” Bell, of Annapolis, Maryland and Sarasota, Florida passed away peacefully April 3, 2023, at home with his family. Beloved husband of Kathy Bell with whom he shared 64 years of marriage. Loving father to Staci Johnston (Ian) of Lafayette, CA, Juli Bell of Mishawaka, IN, and Lisa Warhover (Jeff) of Bedford, MA and a dedicated grandfather “Boogie” to six grandchildren. Glenn Kim Bell was born June 29, 1933, in Port Clinton, Ohio to Rose and Orth Bell. With his father in entertainment, his family moved often: New Jersey, Philadelphia, Nebraska, Kansas, and Colorado. Glenn graduated in 1951 from Lamar High School in Colorado, where he first started working in radio and playing a ukulele for fun. In 1955, Glenn received a BA in Radio Management from the University of Denver, where he was a member of the Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity, while working at a local radio station. He was in the Army from 1955-1957 stationed at Camp Carson, CO and Fort Knox, KY. In 1958, Glenn married Kathleen McMahon, daughter of Lillian and Dennis McMahon in Englewood, CO. Known as Bellzapoppin’ and Boogie Bell, Glenn was a popular rock ‘n roll disc jockey for KIMN radio in Denver. With the addition of two young daughters, Staci and Juli, Glenn decided to leave the airwaves and move into management. The family moved to Chicago, where Glenn became the program director at WMAQ. In 1967, he accepted an offer to manage KSO radio in Des Moines, IA. Glenn joined Tom Stoner in building a successful radio broadcasting company with 18 radio stations during their 27 years together. While in Des Moines, Glenn was an elder at Mount Olive church and was involved in Toastmasters, Cambio Club, Christian Business Men’s Club, Indian Princesses, and as a board member for National Traveler’s Life, Goodwill, YMCA, and the Radio Advertising Bureau. He was also an avid jogger, golfer, and picked up playing the banjo, co-founding The Cow Paddie Daddies and playing gigs around the city. Glenn was a self-made man from a humble background. He was known to read multiple books at a time, across many diverse topics, including business, self-improvement, non-fiction, astronomy, and mysteries. In 1986, when Stoner Broadcasting moved its headquarters to Annapolis, Maryland, Glenn, Kathy and daughter Lisa moved east as well. As President and CEO of the company, Glenn traveled around the country visiting stations. He also embraced his new East Coast life, taking up power boating and crabbing off their dock. An entertainer at heart, Glenn began playing his banjo and singing with both the Severna Park Bums and Dr. Rick Hochman’s Dynamic Dixieland Band. He enjoyed playing in all their shows, from a gazebo in Severna Park to the main stage at Ram’s Head Tavern. In Maryland, Glenn also continued to perfect his golf game and was a member of Annapolis Rotary, the Annapolitan Club, Dyne-a-longs, and the Sherlock Holmes Club. After retiring, Glenn and Kathy began splitting their time between Annapolis and Sarasota, Florida and accelerated their love of travel, touring several countries around the world. In Florida, Glenn continued with Sarasota Rotary and was a radio broadcast consultant. Glenn kept up with his banjo playing and singing, joining the Bradenton Mummers and then the Gulf Coast Banjo Society at Snook Haven, where he told a joke and sang each week. He was known for his faith, zest for life, and sense of humor. He was always ready with a funny story and a smile. Glenn also enjoyed spending time golfing with his Geezer buddies, reading, listening to music, philosophizing, and most importantly, spending time with his friends, family, and the love of his life, Kathy. The church has always been a central part of the Bell family life. Kathy and Glenn are members of Woods Presbyterian Church in Annapolis, MD and associate members of Pine Shores Presbyterian Church, in Sarasota, FL. Philanthropic giving has also always been a core value for Kathy and Glenn. Glenn was predeceased by his parents and brother Dale. In addition to his immediate family, he is survived by one niece and nephew. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations be sent to the following organizations: Woods Presbyterian Church, Severna Park, MD, Pine Shores Presbyterian Church, Sarasota, FL, Chesapeake Bay Foundation, Annapolis, MD, or Southeastern Guide Dogs, Palmetto, FL. A Celebration of Life will be held June 29, 2023 in Annapolis, at Woods, and November 22, 2023 in Sarasota at Pine Shores. Glenn, Bellzie, Dad, Boogie ~ How blessed we are to have had you in our lives. “God bless you real good,” and keep you, until we meet again. We love you.

Tributes

Glenn "Bellzie/Boogie/Dad" Bell

June 29, 1933 - April 3, 2023