John Bell III, a prominent lending executive at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs for more than a decade, has died. A VA spokesperson confirmed his death in an email to Scotsman Guide.

Bell joined the VA in 2010 following 15 years in private-sector real estate and mortgage finance, including more than seven years as a Bank of America executive. He served as deputy director of the VA’s Loan Guaranty Service program from 2017 to 2022 before being promoted to executive director. He held that role until August 2025, when he was appointed deputy executive director of the VA’s Office of Mission Support.

Bell was also a U.S. Navy veteran, serving during the Gulf War and Operation Restore Hope during the Somali Civil War.

“John Bell was a talented and trusted leader with nearly 15 years of service to the Department of Veterans Affairs,” Margarita Devlin, VA principal deputy undersecretary for benefits, said in a statement. “He will be deeply missed by his VA colleagues as well as countless veterans he served and helped over the years. We grieve for his friends and loved ones during this difficult time.”

Bell spoke with Scotsman Guide on several occasions during his VA career. During one conversation, he stressed the importance of having programs that help veterans keep their homes if they encounter short-term financial difficulties.

“It’s just as important for a veteran to stay in the home as it is to get into one,” Bell said in a 2019 interview. “There’s a lot of safety nets and protocols that we put in place to help veterans navigate that home-loan experience.”

As news of Bell’s passing spread on social media, many mortgage and housing industry leaders shared their memories and condolences.

Tim Rood, founder and CEO of real estate software company Impact Capitol, wrote on LinkedIn that Bell “will be sorely missed by anyone who knew him or worked with him.”

Rood added: “John was a tremendous guy with a big heart who loved delivering VA Home Loan Benefits to his fellow veterans. RIP, Brother.”

Responding to Rood’s post, Rick Sharga of CJ Patrick Co. said Bell was “a terrific guy, and no one was more passionate about or dedicated to the mission of taking care of our veterans and their families.”

Brendan McKay, chief advocacy officer of the Broker Action Coalition, said that while he didn’t know Bell well, “it was immediately clear how deeply he cared about serving veterans and helping them achieve homeownership.”

“His passion for the VA Home Loan Program made a lasting impact,” McKay added. “He will be missed.”