January 11, 1940 - May 15, 2002
First attended a gay rodeo in 1984 (?)
Involved in gay rodeo through 2002
Inducted 2006
Al Bell left his legacy in the city of Long Beach with his country western flAlr. He and his, then partner, Pat McGrath opened a bar for those of us wanting country music, down home comfort and a place to plant our dancing boots. Floyd's was the place to be for many years. You would be able to walk into the friendliest bar in Southern California.
Al and Pat opened Floyd's doors for all to enjoy. On any given night you could find Floyd's cloggers practicing for upcoming events, open dance lessons for all, and above all, the home for the GSGRA (Golden State Gay Rodeo Association). Al, with several others, joined with IGRA to establish Gay Rodeo in California. He was without a doubt a pioneer. Through his enthusiasm he was able to gather enough people to put 
together a rodeo like no other. Its first year was a terrific success and was held at the Los Angeles Equestrian Center, and drew a crowd beyond expectations. GSGRA and affiliate organizations have grown over the years and still today provide well qualified contestants who participate in the IGRA circuit.
Al, an excellent organizer and adept in delegation, never lost sight of everything that went on around him. He was innovative and an idealist with vision. He always created a "work together" atmosphere. 
He with those of us who worked with him made "Gay" Long Beach truly home. He was first to promote the events happening throughout Los Angeles and Long Beach to San Diego and Phoenix, and even here in Albuquerque.
Al Bell, John King and JC Moore were very well known throughout the IGRA circuit and very active in shaping what it is today.
Al was, to all who knew him, not just a friend, but on occasion a mentor. He had vision and provided an environment that produced some of the finest local entertAlnment, and a place where all you needed to do was join in.
May his memory be long lived.
From the June 2002 GSGRA newsletter
Time to Say Good-Bye It is with much sadness that we must report the passing of our founding President, Alfred Floyd Bell.
Al passed away on May 15 at his home in Palm Springs where he had been living in retirement for several years. There will be no funeral, however memorial services are planned in both Palm Springs & Long Beach where he lived for many years.
Al and his partner, Pat McGrath owned a very successful Gay Country and Western Dance Hall in Long Beach, named for Al's father, Floyd. In 1984 it was his vision of rodeo as a sport 'in and for the Gay Community' that lead to what is now the Golden State Gay Rodeo Association. He brought together the founding members and for many years was the driving strength of our organization as our founding President. Under his guidance, G.S.G.R.A. went from a fledgling organization of fifteen members and a vision of one rodeo to the largest organization in I.G.R.A., which over the years has brought rodeo to hundreds of thousands of folks by producing more than 50 rodeos.
As if getting a rodeo association going wasn't enough, Al also took on the leadership of Long Beach Lesbian and Gay Pride and as its President fought the City of Long Beach for the right to have a Pride Celebration. This too turned into a massive success and Long Beach Pride is now the second largest event in the City of Long Beach. Many of us called Al 'Dad', not only because he was the Father of Gay Rodeo in California but because he was always there as a source of strength and encouragement. He knew what we could achieve even when we didn't, and he would settle for nothing less.
We Love you, we miss you, and we know you ride with us today.