Darrell Bell, a former IASCA judge, car stereo installer and salesmen, car audio enthusiast and friend to just about everyone he met, passed away Thursday of a reported heart attack. He was 48 years old.
Bell’s death triggered an outpouring of testaments of friendship in comments on social media over the past 24 hours, as industry members expressed their appreciation for the man often called “Big D.”
Bell was ever ready with a smile or a joke or an offer to help a friend. He was also extremely good at judging and orchestrating IASCA events. Industry members would look forward to competitions just to see him.
“He was a big guy and a lot of times big guys are intimidating; he wasn’t, he was friendly. As an IASCA judge, instead of going down the score sheet and trying to find something wrong with your car, he did the opposite and was always looking for good things,” said Gary Biggs, VP of Audiofrog and long time champion car audio competitor.
Mike Jaffe formerly of IASCA, said “Darrell would do anything for you. He would give you the shirt off his back. He was also very productive with the Association. And he was just a sweetheart. We became instant friends.”
A viewing for Bell will be held at the Fisher Funeral Home, Redford, MI, November 4 from 3 to 8 pm, 24501 Five Mile Road. The funeral will be held Saturday, November 5 at 11 am at the Church of the New Covenant-Baptists of Detroit, 3426 Puritan Avenue, Detroit.
Our condolences to Bell’s family and friends.
Big D and I hired in at Car Tunes the same day and I had the pleasure of working beside him quote a bit during my early years in CE. R.I.P. Darrell…….
He was my college classmate and the first person to introduce me to isobaric enclosures back in the late 80’s. He ALWAYS made us all laugh uncontrollably back in college and I have nothing but found memories of my friend “Big D”…..
Very sad. I didn’t see Darrell often but each time was a treat !
Ray Windsor