Bernie peacefully passed away Jan. 29, 2010, in Oneonta, Ala. Born in Waycross, Ga., on Nov. 13, 1928, he lived a full and gregarious life. In the 1940s, while attending the University of Georgia, he traveled as a trombone player and recorded with the Big Bands of Tommy Dorsey, Gene Krupa, Count Basie and Buddy Rich. He eventually received his degree in Commercial Art. After college he proudly served his country as a USAF fighter pilot during the Korean War, where he earned several Medals of Honor for his service. In 1955, he moved to Mountain Brook, Ala., to raise his family. As an ad executive for the Tom Williamson Agency, he found himself in full charge of GM’s print and television advertising during the 1960s and 1970s. He also was a founding member of the UAB SuperJazz, one of the first performing musical jazz ensembles in Birmingham, Ala. The 1980s brought him to Destin, where he was a professor of art and music at OWJC. Bernie’s next adventure found him living on Mangrove Cay, Andros, Bahamas, during the 1990s where he spent his days bone fishing, painting and illustrating on “island time.” In 2001, he chose to relocate one last time to Oneonta to fish the beautiful lakes, continue his creativity in the mountains, and spend time with his family.
Survivors include his son, Andrew (Marcelle) Bell of Destin and daughter Jennifer Robbins of Oneonta; grandchildren Aja Bell (Destin), Tyler Byrd (Birmingham) and Parker Byrd (Oneonta); great-grandchildren Brendon Byrd, Carter Byrd and Maddox Byrd (all in Oneonta).
A celebration of Bernie’s life will take place at 11 a.m. Feb. 22, 2010, at Saint Stephens Episcopal Church in Birmingham.