Xavier “X” Bell

Xavier “X” Ramone Lannie Bell, 57, died Saturday, October 26, 2019 from Cardiac Arrest.

X was born March 31, 1962 in Fort Ord, California to Lt. Colonel (ret.) Major Herman and Maxine Helen Bell. As a child, Xavier and his family moved around every couple of years due to his father’s career as an officer in the U.S. Army. This included living in Panama. Shortly after Xavier graduated from high school he attended Laney College in Oak- land, California. It was about this time that he met and married his wife of 38 years Donna Hagen Bell. The couple settled in California for the next 25 years. Here, they ran a Chimney and Stove installation business for 10 years.

Xavier’s work in his community had already begun; He ran a youth ministry known as City Church in Stockton, CA for 5 years and then went on to become the Chaplain of Stanislaus County Juvenile Hall in Modesto, CA. In 2004 the family moved to Lake Nebagamon, WI and Xavier took a position with Woodland Hills in Duluth as a youth counsel- or. Xavier’s heart has always been toward families, which led to his taking a position with Community Action and developing a program called Circles of Support. As he became more involved in the community he was made Director of Community Engagement and began an initiative to create the Family Freedom Center. The Family Freedom Center became its own entity just two years ago, with Xavier as the Executive Director. At the time of his death he had developed training for entrepreneurs that focused on microbusinesses.

His involvement in the community was extensive. Xavier was a soldier for social justice and worked tirelessly with many community leaders on such projects as; the civilian review board, the annual Jun- teenth celebrations and was a member of the local NAACP.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Maxine and a son, Solomon Jordan Bell.

X is survived by his wife, Donna; children, Autumn (Peter) Santovi, Erik (Erika) Bell, Jacob Bell, Elijah Bell and Hannah Bell; his father Lt. Colonel Major Herman (Geneth) Bell; grandchildren, Jordyn, Elijah, Gideon and Stevie Bell; siblings, Arthur Bell, Valerie Bell, Brenda (Alfred) Owens, Janice (David) Stark, and Andres and Gilbert Squires.

The Celebration of Life will be held at Peace United Church of Christ, 1111 N. 11th Ave. E, Duluth MN, 55805. Visitation at 2:00, Service at 3:00