Dr. Gregory C. Bell

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Last Updated on January 28, 2025 by Cass County Communication Network

Dr. Gregory C. Bell was born on November 7, 1930, ten miles south of Terre Haute, Indiana. 

Dr. Bell, the son of Curtis Bell and Essa Manual Bell, was the last surviving of nine brothers and sisters. He spent the first twelve years of his life living in a chicken house, after the family home, built by his father, was destroyed by fire. With no fire insurance and no money, the family was forced to make do with what was available. 

He attended elementary school at Pimento School in Pimento, Indiana, and, being only the second of his family to do so, graduated in 1948 from Garfield High School in Terre Haute. 

Dr. Bell, like many other young men, was drafted in 1950 during the Korean War. After being honorably discharged from the United States Army, he obtained a job at a local manufacturing plant. Dr. Bell achieved his Doctor of Dental Surgery degree (DDS) at Indiana University in the fall of 1954. 

As many already know, Dr. Bell participated in and won a gold medal in the 1956 Olympic Games in Melbourne, Australia. It was a mesmerizing story to hear the tale that led up to his gold medal jump. 

Dr. Bell excelled at Track and Field at Indiana University, without a single loss in his specialty, the long jump.  

After graduation from the I.U. School of Dentistry, Dr. Bell spent the following year as a clinical instructor in the Dental Crown and Bridge department of Howard University, Washington, D.C. In 1962, he returned to his hometown of Terre Haute.

In 1969, he accepted the position of staff dentist at the Logansport State Hospital. Not only did Dr. Bell provide services at the State Hospital but also conducted a part-time private practice in Logansport. He maintained evening appointment hours in order to serve those who otherwise may not be able to see a dentist.

Dr. Bell has three children, a daughter, Valinda Jones, with two sons, Jason Wright and Mike Jones; a son, Gregory Kent (Twila) Bell, and they have one son, Kent, and one daughter Whitney; a daughter, Shari Weaver (companion, Miles White). Shari has two sons, Laen Weaver and Jared Weaver. 

On December 26, 1990, Dr. Bell married Mary Lawrie. Mary has four children, a son, Chuck Hunt, with a daughter, Samatha (Anthony) Capone; a daughter, Becky (Larry) Smith; and twin daughters, Kelly (Donny) Hunter, with two girls, Caitlin (Charles) James and Jessica Hunter; and a daughter, Shelly (Bill) Hunter, with children, Ashley Long, Brandon Hunter, Billy (Sam) Hunter, Stephanie Kline, Nicol (James) Hiatt and Misty (John) Blickenstaff. 

One of Dr. Bell’s passions was speaking to various audiences, young and old alike, presenting programs in which he delighted audiences with a remarkable delivery of the works of Paul Laurence Dunbar. He would also present his Olympic Gold Medal for those who had not had the opportunity to see one.  

Dr. Bell also included a sampling of his own poetry when delivering these motivational presentations. Dr. Bell spoke to all the elementary schools in the area. He also addressed poetry classes at Logansport High School every year, and delivered commencement addresses to two other area high schools.  It was especially important to Dr. Bell to present his Olympic Gold Medal, but he would not let it define who he was, or to be the sole highlight of his life accomplishments. 

Not only was Dr. Bell the first inductee to the Indiana University Hall of Fame, but, as well, to his home city of Terre Haute, which has a Track and Field Hall of Fame with a display of Dr. Bell’s Shoes. Also displayed is a list of his accomplishments. Now, upon his death, this display will have his Olympic Gold Medal for everyone to appreciate.

Some of Dr. Bell’s major athletic honors during his undergraduate years at Indiana University are listed below:  

Long Jump 

National A.A.U. Champion – Outdoor 1955 to 1959, Indoor 1958 

NCAA Champion – 1956 and 1957 

Penn Relays Champion – 1956, 1957, 1958 

USA vs USSR Champion and Team Captain – 1959 

Big Ten Indoor and Outdoor Champion – 1956, 1957, 1958 

Ohio Relays Champion – 1955, 1956, 1957, 1958 

Ranked 1st in in the world, Long Jump – 1956, 1957, 1958 

NCAA All American – 1956, 1957, 1958 

National A.A.U. All American – 1955, 1956, 1957, 1958 

Other Honors 

Balfour Award for most outstanding athlete in Track and Field at Indiana University – 1956, 1957, 1958 

Penn Relays 100 yard dash champion – 1957 

Most outstanding athlete, Penn Relays – 1957 

Held Penn Relays record in long jump for 24 years 

Only 3 time consecutive long Jump champion, Penn Relays 

Held I. U. Long Jump record for 35 years – 26′ 7″ 

Held NCAA record for 7 years – 26′ 7″ 

Big Ten Medal for Athletic and Scholastic Achievements – 1958 

Captain of USA vs USSR team – 1959 

Member of Citizen’s Savings Hall of Fame 

Charter member of Indiana Track & Field Hall of Fame 

Charter member of I. U. Athletic Hall of Fame 

Elected to Big Ten All Century Track and Field team 

Inducted into National Track & Field Hall of Fame – 1988 

Inducted into Penn Relays Wall of Fame – 1995 

On Saturday, Jan 25, 2025, at 5:15 a.m., in his comfortable residence, Dr. Gregory C. Bell made his final JUMP to be with the Lord, with his wife, Mary, singing “Jesus Loves Me” to him while holding his hand. 

 At Dr. Bell’s insistence, there will be no visitation or final funeral ceremony. He wished to be remembered as he was.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations with checks made out to “Indiana Track & Field Hall of Fame 5353 East Margaret Dr Terre Haute, IN 47803. attn Dr. Bell.”

Condolences can be shared at www.kroegerfuneralhome.com.

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