L. Ferris Bell, 92

February 19, 2019

Deacon L. Ferris Bell, 92, of Lancaster, PA, and formerly of San Diego, CA, and Vienna, VA, 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.

His first wife of 25 years, Caroline (Surles) Bell, died July 22, 1975 and his second wife of 27 years, Glenna Mae (Van Hoose) Bell, died November 26, 2003.

Ferris served in the US Navy during WWII on board the USS Caperton DD650 and then served in the Navy Reserves, obtaining the rank of Lt. Commander before retiring in 1986.

A Texas Longhorn, he 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, where he was the chief of surface to air missile systems. He then worked for General Dynamics as lead engineer on the Tomahawk Missile.

A 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 and was an Oblate of St. Benedict.

Surviving Ferris are his son Leonard Ferris Bell, Jr., husband of Clarita of Virginia Beach, VA, his daughter Audrey A., wife of Robert R. Ward of Lancaster, PA, his stepson Thomas A. Van Hoose Ph.D., husband of June of Plano, TX, and eight grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. In addition to his parents and wives, Ferris was preceded in death his daughter Linda Carol Bell who died in 1974, his son Peter Marshall Bell who died in 1994 and his sister Inez Bivins.

Interment will take place in Hillcrest Mausoleum & Memorial Park, 7405 West Northwest Hwy., Dallas, TX 75225, and memorial services will be planned in the future 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., Ste. 240, La Jolla, CA 92037 or to the Alzheimer’s Association, San Diego/Imperial Chapter, 5075 Shoreham Place, St. 240, San Diego, CA 92122.