BOUNTIFUL—Bountiful City staff and council members are mourning the loss of their friend and colleague Jesse Bell who passed away Aug. 13 after a 14-month battle with the effects of an aggressive form of brain cancer. Bell was 47. He had served as a council member since 2022. 

He was chairman of the Bountiful Trails Advisory Committee from 2013-2021. “He was all about getting families outside and being active,” said Bountiful Mayor Kendalyn Harris. “He felt that trails provided an outlet to bike and hike. He served on that committee for a long time. It was a labor of love.”

Before being a council member, Jesse was tapped to serve on the planning commission, she said. “He took more of a role in projects proposed by the city. With his background in landscape architecture he had an eye for design and building great projects. He didn’t cut corners. Jesse took pride in the development in the city.”

He was a valuable resource there, said Harris. “He was interested in the city and how it was going to evolve. He had an interest in beautifying the community.”

Jesse loved trees, she said. “It was so cute he would say, ‘since they (trees) can’t speak for themselves I speak for them.’”

Harris said Jesse always made space for everyone. “In a recent city council meeting we were talking about housing, duplexes, etc. He wanted the less affluent to have an opportunity for housing and for as many people as possible. He was thinking of people and policies that would benefit all residents.”

Jesse attended almost every single meeting even when he was sick, she said. “He would engage, text and give input on issues right up until last month. Right to the end he was engaged.”

One night he had a seizure at the police department, said Harris. “He came over to City Hall and stayed for the meeting. He told us not to make a fuss. He hated attention. He didn’t want us to focus on him.”

He was in for a short period of time but it was really impactful, she said. “He accomplished a lot.”

“He was an amazing person,” said Bountiful City Councilmember Kate Bradshaw. “He was an amazing resident of Bountiful. He gave so much back.” 

Jesse led the trails effort for several years, she said. “He took it from an informal city effort all the way to adopting a master plan. He was the glue marching forward, bushwhacking potential routes and working on the narratives of what needed to go in the plan.”

Bradshaw said they shared a love and passion for trails. “We were lucky to host several rides inviting other city and state leaders to see the vision and grant us funds. Being on the mountain and looking at the tree canopy and contours, those were in his wheelhouse. To paint a picture of what he saw – it was pretty special.”

He was such a positive influence on the council and staff, said Bradshaw. “He saw the better angel in everyone. That was the thing that always helped us to pause and see the other’s perspective. To take a breath and think ‘what would Jesse do?’”

Jesse had a unique skill set, she said. “You always felt better after having a conversation with him. After talking to him you never felt your idea was dismissed or dumb.”

He had a really calm, thoughtful way of dealing with things, Bradshaw said. “He would always see the good. You’re lucky if you have someone in life to play that role.”

Bradshaw said he was a good friend. “He was a trusted ally and he made it easy to serve with him.” 

He would never toot his own horn, she said. “He was always happy to let others take credit. Everyone has the right to know about his major contributions. His life and contributions should be celebrated. I’m lucky to have met Jesse. He’ll be deeply missed.”