Dr. Howard C. Bell, 67, of Jacksonville passed away peacefully on January 27, 2020. Born in Texas on April 7, 1952 to Ruby Marie Bell and Howard G. Bell and raised in Winter Park, FL, Howard then attended Emory University for his Undergraduate and DDS (Doctor of Dental Surgery) degrees. He practiced General Dentistry in Jacksonville, FL for over 30 years. Howard was a gentle and caring dentist to his patients and a well-respected colleague in the Dental Profession. He served as Trustee to the Florida Dental Association (FDA), President of the FDA Foundation and several leadership roles in the Jacksonville Dental Society and the North East District Dental Association. Dr. Bell served on the American Dental Association (ADA) Council on Dental Practice and as a Delegate to the ADA and FDA House of Delegates. He served many years as a member of the Dental Assisting National Board.
Dr Bell was a distinguished member of several honorary dental organizations including the American College of Dentists, the International College of Dentists and the Pierre Fauchard Academy. Howard received several service awards from the Florida Dental Association for his continuous efforts to improve the delivery of dental care. In 2006, he was honored as the FDA’s Dentist of The Year, one of the highest honors of the FDA.
Howard was loved by many because of his warm personality and his pleasant demeanor. But he was especially loved by his “dance partners”. At many of the formal dinner dances of the ADA, Howard would be the first on the dance floor and the last to leave. His smile would be contagious. As several ailments took their toll, Howard had to retire from his dental practice and take up residence in an Assisted Living Facility. Although he was unable to dance as before, he still caught the eye of many of his fellow residents because of his big smile and gentleman-like ways. He never complained about his deteriorating health and always tried his best to please the caring staff at Sunrise Senior Living.
Howard was predeceased by his parents and will be placed to rest next to his mother at Oaklawn Cemetery. A graveside service will be held at 11:00 AM at Hardage-Giddens Oaklawn Cemetery (4801 San Jose Blvd, Jacksonville, FL 32207) on Friday March 27, 2020. A “Celebration of Life” reception will be held immediately following at Epping Forest Yacht Club where Howard was a member for many years. The reception will be from noon – 3:00. The address is 1830 Epping Forest Drive, Jacksonville, FL 32217.
Donations in Howard’s Honor can be made to the Florida Dental Association Foundation, 545 John Knox Road, Suite 200, Tallahassee, FL 32303 or Community Hospice & Palliative Care, 4266 Sunbeam Road, Jacksonville, FL 32257.