John Candler ("Champ") Bell

John Candler Bell of Bishop, Georgia passed away on February 22, 2023 at the age of 24. Born in Athens, Georgia on October 26, 1998, he was the son of Leslie Arthur Bell and Shane Bell. He attended Oconee County High School and graduated in 2017. He was a four-year starter on the football team and an avid baseball player for the Oconee County Warriors. He was a fierce competitor with a love for the game. He was fondly called “Champ” by his warrior teammates and friends. He loved all sports, especially the Georgia Bulldogs. After high school he graduated from Southeastern Lineman School in 2018 and was employed by Lambert Cable and Splicing.  He was a member of Bishop Baptist Church.  

Champ was a man of few words but when he did share, you never knew what to expect. He was a free spirit and would grace you with his presence but didn’t believe in goodbyes. He was loyal, funny, charming, and kind. He showed great humility and genuineness. He was dependable and true to those he loved. He was a sarcastic comment, the life of the party, a grin in the room. He cared deeply for others, and brought life to everyone around him. He was our son, our brother, our grandson, our nephew, our cousin, our friend. He was so loved by us all.

In addition to his parents, Leslie and Shane Bell, John Candler will always be the beloved brother of Gailey Bell Bridges (Noah) and Lexie Bell, grandson of Peggy and Billy Arthur of Madison, Ga. and Marjorie and Billy Ross of Bishop, Ga. He will forever live on in our memories and hearts but for now, in true Champ fashion, this is not goodbye but we’ll see you again soon.

The family will receive friends on Monday, February 27 from 5-8 pm at A.E. Carter Funeral Home.  The funeral service will be held on Wednesday, March 1 at 3 pm at Bishop Baptist Church. Interment will follow at the Farmington Cemetery.

If you would like to make a donation in honor of Champ, please donate to the OCHS Warrior Foundation to help us with a Victory Bell to be placed at Warrior Football Stadium in his memory. 

Please make checks payable to the OCHS Warrior Foundation with “Champ” in the memo and mail checks to Tanya Adcock at 1271 McRee Gin Road, Watkinsville, GA 30677 or Venmo Leslie Bell (@Leslie-Bell-30) with “Champ” in the note.

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