Services for Arizona firefighter-paramedic who died of COVID-19 to take place next week

PHOENIX — Funeral services will take place Monday for a Verde Valley Fire District firefighter-paramedic who died from complications of COVID-19, the agency said.

Tyrone Bell, 35, contracted COVID-19 in the line of duty and died on Oct. 18, the Verde Valley Fire District said in a press release.

Services will be held at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Cottonwood, the agency said, and be open to family, friends, firefighters and the extended family of the fire department.

He leaves behind his wife, Ashli, his 5-year-old son, Tyson, and his parents, Ross and Rosie Bell.

In lieu of flowers, people are asked to consider donating to the Meal Train fund established for Bell’s wife and son.

“Tyrone’s laugh was as sly as his smile, his humbleness as true as his heart,” the agency said in the release. “Always generous with his time, Tyrone leaves a legacy of quiet gestures made for his community.

“His absence leaves a void that will never be filled, but will be surrounded by those who learned to live better and love better because of him.”

Bell began his career as a reserve firefighter with the Clarkdale Fire District and Verde Valley Fire District, then being hired as a full-time EMT at Verde Valley Ambulance Company before becoming a full-time firefighter-paramedic for the Verde Valley Fire District in 2017.

He was raised in Clarkdale where he attended Clarkdale-Jerome School, later going to Mingus Union High School. Bell played on the school’s football team and graduated in 2004, initially going to culinary school before beginning a career in public safety.

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