L. Ferris Bell

Deacon L. Ferris Bell, 92, of Lancaster, PA, and formerly of San Diego, CA passed away at Hospice & Community Care, Mount Joy, PA, on Tuesday, February 19, 2019. He was born November 27, 1926 in Eldon, MO, to the late Walter Presley and Della Mae Oxford Bell. He was preceded in death by his first wife of 25 years, Caroline Surles Bell in 1975 and his second wife Glenna Van Hoose Bell in 2003. Ferris was later preceded in death by his daughter Linda Carol Bell in 1974, his son Peter Marshall Bell in 1994 and his sister Inez Bivins.

Ferris served in the US Navy during WWII aboard the USS Caperton DD650 and then served in the Navy Reserves, attaining the rank of Lt. Commander before retiring in 1986. After WWII, Ferris graduated from the University of Texas in 1949 with a degree in Electrical Engineering and completed his Ph.D. in Physics at American University in 1981. Ferris worked for the Civil Service in the Pentagon from 1951 through 1959 as the chief of surface to air missile systems. He then worked for General Dynamics as lead engineer on the Tomahawk Missile until retirement.

A founding member of St. Gregory the Great Catholic Church in San Diego, CA, Ferris completed Deaconate school in 1978 and served as Deacon for over 30 years. He was a member of MENSA International, a life member of ADPA, an Oblate of St. Benedict and a Knight Commander of the Holy Sepulchre.

Surviving Ferris are his son Leonard Ferris Bell, Jr. and his wife Clarita of Virginia Beach, VA, his daughter Audrey Ward and her husband Robert Ward of Lancaster, PA, his stepson Thomas Van Hoose, Ph.D. and his wife June of Carrollton, TX, eight grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

Ferris’ interment will take place on Saturday, March 2, at 1:30 p.m. at Sparkman/Hillcrest Mausoleum and Memorial Park, 7405 West Northwest Highway, Dallas, TX, 75225. A memorial service will be held on Friday, March 8 at 2:00 p.m. at St. Gregory the Great Catholic Church, 11451 Blue Cypress Dr., San Diego, CA, 92131.

Memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association, 9404 Genesee Ave., 240, La Jolla, CA, 92037 or to the Alzheimer’s Association, San Diego/Imperial Chapter, 5075 Shoreham Place, 240, San Diego, CA, 92122.