Steven Charles Bell

February 17, 1968 – January 25, 2026

Steven was born in Simi Valley, California, on February 17, 1968, to Don and Audrey Bell. On January 21, 2026, his son Topher took him to the Emergency Room for what turned out to be pneumonia complicated by congestive heart failure. He crossed into the light on Sunday morning, January 25, 2026, with his son and sister by his side. Thanks to the staff at SNM Hospital for the care that they provided and for creating space for friends and family to be with him. Steven wants you all to know that he is not gone; as he said to our Aunt Polly at age 10 when Grandpa Bell died: “Don’t be sad, grandpa will always be with us, he will watch over us…” Steven, too, will always be with us.

Steven was a lifelong hacky sack player, creating a circle of friends wherever he was. He emanated love and acceptance, touching all who knew him. He was very creative, writing and drawing from an early age. His first publication (age 12) was “Everything Magazine,” featuring his hilarious cartoons and fake ads. Alleghany School let him make copies on the ditto machine, and he sold them for a quarter each. Steven started working with his dad underground around age 12. After he graduated from Pliocene Ridge School, he worked as a gold miner for many years in several different mines, including The Carson, Golden Lion, Brush Creek, Ruby, Jap, and 16 to1.

Steven married Kim Sadler on July 24, 1993. This was a precious time in Steven’s life with the birth of their son Christopher the following February. Steven and Kim later parted ways but remained good friends.In the early 2000s, Steven started calling his poems “daily biscuits,” then later simply “biscuits.” Wherever he went, he carried a stack of laminated biscuits [poems], asking whoever he met to randomly draw one, then he’d read it out loud. He self-published two books that are available on Amazon: Steven Bell’s Biscuits volumes 1 and 2.

Steven was preceded in death by his parents, Don and Audrey, and his common-law wife, Lisa Figueroa, and their dog Frump. He is survived by his son and joy Christopher Steven Bell, Christopher’s mom Kim Bell, stepdaughters Arraya, Destiny, and Aleea, and stepson Mason. Siblings: Don (Cheryl) Bell, Jason (Monique) Bell, and Pauline Rae Bell (David) Arbogast, plus countless extended family members, including his nieces and nephews, step-grandkids, cousins [scuzzins], and so many people who loved him dearly. Special thanks to niece Alisha Richmond, whose home was always open to Steven and to the Harveys for providing their “laughing buddha” with living space. Donations in Steven’s memory can be made to the Interfaith Food Ministry, interfaithfoodministry.org.

A CELEBRATION of Steven will be held on his birthday, February 17, 2026, at the North San Juan Community Center, 29190 Hwy 49. Doors open at noon with the ceremony starting around 2 PM. Live music with the band Awkward Pocket will start at 6 PM. Doors close at 9 PM. This is a POTLUCK, please bring a dish to share. Kitchen available for heating or refrigerating food. A memory book to write, draw, or tape something into will be there. Everyone is encouraged to dress flamboyantly in honor of Steven. The 17th also happens to be Mardi-Gras and the Lunar New Year. To quote from one of Steven’s biscuits, “My Birthday ~ Hey Hey ~~~Let’s Celebrate Today!”