Tragic News About Michael Bell aka TU/JSU Fan

[TUpimp]

Michael Bell was killed in a tragic wreck yesterday, just outside of Luverne. You all knew him as TU/JSU Fan. By my understanding he crossed over into the other lane and hit head on with an 18 wheeler. I just wanted to let everyone on the board know about this. I worked with Michael here at the University and he was a great friend and an awesome person to be around. I know that he is in a better place now, but he will be missed. I send my condolences out to his family and to everyone who knew Michael. Please pray for Michael's wife and family.

[FHBrian]

Wow, so sorry to hear it. My prayers go out to his family.

[Burn the Horse]

wow, Michael and I have recently began developing a close friendship through this board. i don't know what to say, i'm just shocked...

[JonesOxygen]

Terrible news, thoughts and prayers are with his family.

[TrojanWar]

Speechless at the moment. Unbelievable.

[Trojan2003]

This is sad news. I am really shocked. My thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends.

[SOTSButterfly]

Oh no! What a shock!

I wish his family and friends strength during this difficult time.
I know he'll be missed here.

[Hemi Man]

I didn't know Michael personally, but I felt I knew him through this board. Totally shocked. My prayers to his family.

[CHughes1102]

Oh my gosh!!!!! My prayers are with his family....

R.I.P. Michael

[WeSuck.com]

Wow, now that is really, really sad. I will make sure to say a quiet pray for his family.

[SOTS 86-89]

Although we never met face to face, I've known Michael for at least 13-14 years. Back in the day of dial up internet and newsgroups that preceded messageboards/forums like this, we used to duke it out on the high school band and college band newsgroups (mainly over The Sound of the South vs. The Southerners). We were also Phi Mu Alpha brothers so we did have that in common...this was long before he moved to Troy of course. He was definitely passionate about the things that he believed in...and was never too big to back down if he felt he had been in the wrong.

I'll definitely miss reading his thoughts on here...and will be thinking about his wife and family.

Any of you that live in Troy...if you find out any funeral arrangements would you please post it here?

[SOTSAlumBigGuns]

Man...I have been without internet today and was blown away when SOTSButterfly told me at the gym tonight. I am still shocked. Prayers for his family. We all start to feel like family on this board even when we have never met. He was our Trojan brother and will be missed.

[tntrojan]

Very sad. My condolences to his family. I really appreciated that he never hid behind his screen name. Seemed like an awesome person. I will miss his insights.

[TU Rob]

His family will be in my prayers. This is a huge shock to me. Very sad. RIP Michael. You'll be missed.

[TUTrojan]

Very sad news. Prayers on the way.

[JonesOxygen]

Just received word of funeral arrangements ...

Visitation will be from 6-8 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 19.

The funeral will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday.

K. L. Brown Funeral Home in Jacksonville is handling the arrangements. (That's the one just down from the Coliseum on Hwy 204.)

K. L. Brown's Web site is http://www.klbrownfuneralhome.com

Here's the address:

K. L. Brown Funeral Home
322 Nisbit St. NW
Jacksonville, AL 36265

[Trojan1998]

Truly terrible news. I'm really sorry that his family is having to go through this. He was a definite asset to this message board and to the Trojan Nation and Gamecock Nation.

[tntrojan]

Anyone know a florist in Jacksonville?

[JaxSinfonian]

Anyone know a florist in Jacksonville?

Armstrong Florist & Gifts
- armstrongfloristandgifts.com
211 Pelham Rd S, Jacksonville - (800) 884-6949

Accent Floral Designs
112 Clinton St SE, Jacksonville - (256) 435-6933

Alana's Flower Shop Inc
1590 Pelham Rd S, Jacksonville - (256) 435-3485

Nice to see all the kind words posted here and at gojaxstate.com. Michael loved both his alma maters.

[FRED_of_TROY]

Wow. I haven't been on here in a long time, but I sure remember MANY threads with Michael. Awful news today. His family and friends will be in my prayers. RIP and God Bless.

[TSUWhiner]

I am in shock as well. I didnt know the guy personally, but I always have enjoyed his messages on here as we all enjoy each others company..and enjoying Trojan football. I hope and pray that he will watch Trojan football from heaven. Godspeed!

Whiner

[FloriTrojan]

I talked to Michael a few times by phone and enjoyed his posts immensely.

I just cannot believe such a great asset to Troy and JSU is gone. (What will become of his Jax site?)

Michael's posts about losing his family's dog to a hit-and-run driver, about his weight loss, growing up as a Jax State fan with his grandfather, band memories, becoming a Trojan, working for Troy, and stories about his wife and family come to mind as my eyes tear up.

Michael stood firmly when he believed he was right, but was not too proud to admit his mistakes. He had the guts to show his support for two rival schools, despite a lot of grief given for it.

Michael supported me in may a "battle" here (all of which seem so unimportant now) and I hope he knew how much I appreciated his having my back.

I always wanted to get together with him while he was here in South Florida. Whenever I see a Jax State reference or pass the local campus of the college for which he worked, I will fondly think of him. I know he loved Troy and his time working there, but had to move on for the sake of his family.

This is a great tragedy and Michael and his family are in my prayers.

I hope Troy can honor him with a moment of silence or some such tribute at a game this season.

We'll miss you Michael!

[CattouseFan]

Its hard to believe. I didn't know Michael personally, but I chatted online with him a few times and he seemed to be a really good person. My prayers go out to his family.

[troysigmachi08]

I haven't posted on here in awhile and this is just shocking. I was riding back to Troy from Mobile yesterday, and we had to be rerouted around that wreck. I had no idea it was someone I had been reading posts from. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family. That is a huge loss.

[Navarre Trojan]

I have spoken with Michael on several occassions both personnally and professionally, as we shared the same vocation. What a horrible, horrible loss. He will be missed.

[TrojanEmpire]

RIP Michael. Our prayers go out to the entire Bell family.

[BlueRaiderZone]

I am very sorry to hear about this horrible situation. I had read several of his posts while visiting this board. Although I didn't know him I am sure this is a great loss for the two schools that he was passionate about.

Thoughts and prayers from the Blue Raiders go out to Michael's friends and family and to the entire Troy family.

[The Messenger]

I used to work with Michael at the Distance Learning center when I was in grad school. He was a really good, very intelligent guy with a great sense of humor. We've lost a good one here y'all. My prayers go out to his family.

[Troy91]

I too will have him and his family in my prayers.

[Vegastrojan]

The Trojan Nation lost a great fan.
My thoughts and prayers are with his entire family during this tough time.

[TSU2457]

As I was reading through these posts I was hoping that I would get to the one that said this was some dumb joke. I'm just completely shocked.

May God Bless Michael and his family.

[MTPiKapp]

Horrible to hear about the loss to the Bell, Troy, and Jax St families. My thoughts and prayers will be with everyone affected.

[KAjunRaider]

So sorry to hear about this.

In times like these, it makes football and rivalries seem so trivial.

Prayers go out to his family and the Troy Trojan family.

[OwlFamily]

On behalf of FAU Fandom, Deepest sympathies to his family and Trojan nation.

While I did not know him personally, I throughly enjoyed his posts and tone. He seemed a very classy guy and was a true treasure to this forum.

:(

[CardinalBlackTrojan]

A truly sad thing to happen. The Bell Family is in my prayers.

[TrojanWarrior418]

I'm at a loss for words.... I didn't know Michael personally, but I was always a fan of his posts. We lost a great person and a great Trojan. Maybe he's playing fetch with his dog now.

[arkstfan]

Life is not like football.

Unlike football the outcome is known in advance. The time left to play is not.

The moral victory of a life well lived is what we strive for.

My sympathies to his friends and extended family.

[MeanGreen61]

Sad. Our prayers and condonences for his family & friends

[btdt]

Prayers go out to the family. I was shocked by the news and also to learn that he was only 28. His posts read like someone well over that age. Here is a link to the news story about the wreck.



http://www.troymessenger.com/articles/2008/08/19/news/news03.txt

[Psitech]

This is just such tragic news and I'm blown away by it. His friends and family are most certainly in my prayers. I never got to meet him in person, but I enjoyed reading his posts and conversing with him on the board. He will be greatly missed.


Go rest high on that mountain
Son, your work on earth is done
Go to heaven a shoutin
Love for the father and son

[socrgoly25]

Times like this definitely put things in perspective. He will be missed.

[ASUWarChief]

wow....that's very very disheartening to hear

we only spoke the couple of times here on the board but i always enjoyed reading his posts and discussing various asu/troy topics

he will be missed in the troy and sunbelt world :(

[TROJANFAN26]

I have been away from the board for the last couple of days and I am in total shock over this. Such a sad thing. I never knew Michael personally but I truly enjoyed reading his post. He always made great points, knew what he was talking about and never backed down from what he believed in. My thoughts and prayers go to him and his family. Michael you wil be greatly missed brother. I'll think of him every time I hear "Jax State".
THIS TROJAN FOOTBALL SEASON IS DEDICATED TO YOU PAL!!!

[JonesOxygen]

135


I am not sure how old this picture is?

[TUpimp]

It is a recent picture. I believe the picture was taken on the day Michael and his wife renewed their vows, which was fairly recent. I still can't believe he is gone. I saw him about 2 weeks ago and he was his usual cheerful self. It just goes to show how quickly life can be taken away from us. We will all miss you Mike....RIP brotha.

[Zeebart21]

Truly a tragic loss. Cajun thoughts and prayers are with his family, and with all Troy fans.

Z

[TroJam]

Although I didn't personally know Michael this really hit me in my gut. Very tragic. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family. I really have enjoyed his take on Troy sports. He will be missed.

[ThePowerMan]

I was also rerouted around the scene after the wreck. I instantly thought about whether this was a family that had been to Fan Day. I said a quick prayer for those involved. Although I never met MB I am very saddened by this. Less than a year ago he had posted a very personal article about things going on in his life. I connected with him through this. He strengthened me knowing he conquered the troubles in his life.

I will miss his honesty and willingness to speak his mind. He was obviously a great person and someone you could call friend. We'll miss you MB.

[TUrocks]

That is very sad. I lost a very close friend at Troy in a car accident when I was there and it took me what seemed like forever to mourn. I always enjoyed reading his posts.

Just throwing this out there, but would it be a good idea to honor his memory on here by doing something like naming one of the sections in his honor??? Since he does feel like one of the family to many. I know I read alot of his posts in the Everything Else section......rename it something like the "Michael Bell Everything Else" section??? If not that specifically, maybe the idea can be brainstormed????

Don't know if that would be appropriate or how everyone else would feel.....just an idea off the cuff I had and am throwing it out there.

[littlebittyschool]

I just read about this on Drew's blog and came to the thread here. I never knew Michael, or spoke to him personally, but I genuinely regret the chance that I won't get to change that. When I was out of work at the first of the year, he tried to help me find a job. He didn't know me from Adam, just from posts on the board, yet he went out of his way to try and help.

My thoughts and prayers go out to his friends and family.

[TUTrojan]

Maybe we can put Michael's initials somewhere on the t-shirt (maybe WHereisKelvin's also).

[Fanof49ASU]

This is terrible news. Prayers to the family.

[Swordsman]

Truly shocking! All of my prayers!!

[faithintsu]

I am speechless. Michael and I spoke almost every week via Instant Messenger about various things and last week had spoken everyday about the move of GoJaxState.Com

My heart is truly saddened.

Speechless...that is all I can say right now.

[Cane gone Trojan]

horrible news!!! I always enjoyed his posts. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family and friends. He will be missed.

Go Troy and Go Jax State.

[jagd1305]

To me, there is nothing more stunning than when the life of a good person suddenly ceases. Everything else we let complicate our minds instantly falls aside as insignificant when a life is taken from us. Michael was only 28 and just an acquaintance to many of us but he was such a remarkable young man. His uniqueness and passion that is no longer with us leaves a painful void.

[Pcbtrojan]

To me, there is nothing more stunning than when the life of a good person suddenly ceases. Everything else we let complicate our minds instantly falls aside as insignificant when a life is taken from us. Michael was only 28 and just an acquaintance to many of us but he was such a remarkable young man. His uniqueness and passion that is no longer with us leaves a painful void.

Couldn't say it any better,
Fair Winds and Following Seas Michael.

[nasupporter]

Everyone on here is family. This hurts in the gut.
My prayers go out to his family and may Gods eternal light shine upon him.

[TroyTuba]

Too young to die, I'll miss you my friend

[BDM88]

MY Thoughts And Prayers go out to the Family.

[TroyBandDad]

Wow, my heart sank when I read this one. He is already missed here.

[ksdtrojan]

I am speechless. Absolutely speechless!

Sending up prayers for the family.

[bigguyonright]

i remeber michael from many convos about troy football when he would come in for lunch when i was with the campus deli crew. he and i became friends, and this was not what i was expecting when i logged on today. there are people praying for his family here in wyoming

[PattiM]

I am Michael's wife's (can't bring myself to say widow yet) aunt and had the honor and pleasure of being his teacher in several high school classes. My mother happened onto your posts as she was looking for info about the wreck. Thank you for all the nice things you have written about Michael. He was a really great guy. My husband and I always enjoyed our conversations with him at family gatherings. His intelligence, unique perceptions, and keen sense of humor will be truly missed.

[Rette]

He will be missed.
http://www.troymessenger.com/articles/2008/08/18/obituaries/michaelbell.txt

http://klbrownfuneral.frontrunnerpro.com/runtime/121/include/storage/php_light_a_candle_cover.php?Width=836&trimTop=20&Backdrop=2&Title=Michael+Bell&DeathRecordId=218321&SiteId=121&NavigatorId=19398&Format=JPG&NumCandles=7&Text2=Rod+and+Margie+Cameron&Text3=Bob+Bossell&Text4=K.L.+Brown+Funeral+Home+and+Cremation+Center +and+Staff&Pic2=121%2FDeathRecordStub%2F218321%2FBell_Michael .jpg&Lit=2%2C3%2C4&ext=.jpg

[Sarahbelle]

This is heartbreaking news. My heart goes out to his family and friends. He will be greatly missed.

[TU Rob]

I'm still shocked at this. I can't begin to think what the family must be feeling. I just read the obituary in the Messenger. Michael was only a year older than I am. I couldn't imagine what would happen to my wife and baby if I were to be in an accident. It breaks my heart.

[FloriTrojan]

I've had good thoughts for Michael and his family at each of the games this year, and hope is is watching and enjoying this season from above.

I miss him here at GTT.

[trojanforce]

Truly sad news. My condolences to his family. He will be missed!

trojanforce