Mr. Doyne Leon Stell

Mr. Doyne Leon Stell, 82, of Beaumont, passed away at his home May 25, 2017.

A celebration of his life will be held Sunday, May 28, 2017 at 3 p.m. in the chapel of Claybar Funeral Home Beaumont. A gathering of family and friends will be from 2:00 until service time. Burial will follow in Haven of Rest Cemetery.

Mr. Stell was born August 2, 1934 in Conway, Arkansas to Joe and Velma (Anderson) Stell. After graduating as valedictorian from Conway High School he attended the University of Central Arkansas and graduated with a BS degree in chemistry. He retired after working in the quality control division for Goodyear Tire and Chemical for 36 years.

Mr. Stell was a longtime and very involved member of Major Drive Church of Christ. He served in many areas of the church but most notably as the song leader and director of music, a position he held for over 20 years.

Music was a very important part of Mr. Stell’s life. As a young man he and his brothers formed a band, “The Drifters”. Not only did they perform music from other composers many of the songs they performed were written by Mr. Stell. He was an accomplished musician who played the guitar, the fiddle and the mandolin as well as a published and gifted composer. As a composer he was a member of ASCAP, BMI and The Song Writers Guild of America. His family was always proud and excited to hear some of his compositions on the radio.

It is said of Mr. Stell that he “had an engineer’s mind but the common sense and creativity of a county boy”. He was a philosopher at heart who genuinely cared about those around him. He coached little league and set the standard for what a gentleman should be to those young boys.

He was dedicated and devoted to his family. They were the most important part of his world.

Mr. Stell is survived by his wife of 25 years, Wanda; son, Gary Stell and his wife, Suzanne; daughters Susan Kadilis and her husband, Patrick and Pam Jeanis and her husband, Mike; grandchildren, Taylor Stell, Brett Stell, Jacob Kadilis, Nikki Boyles and Jennifer Hoy; great-grandchildren, Parker Boyles, Bentlee Kadilis and Braylee Kadilis, and brothers, Ray Stell, Louis Stell and Danny Stell.

He was preceded in death by his first wife, Mary Lillian; siblings, Maxine Stell, Flodene Mason, Lorene Jones, Bill Stell and Sherry Rimmer and son, Jess Widner.

Those who wish may make donations in memory of Mr. Stell to the American Cancer Society or the Alzheimers Association.