Ellis Bell Jr. 1938-2024Mother: Dorothy Lucille Bell Maiden Name: Thompson Father: Ellis Bell I was born in Bradenton Florida, 4 June 1938
We married on 29 June 1962 in Elkton, MD. I continued to serve on 5 more destroyer ships and shore duty stations until I retired from the Navy in September 1978. Lived in Alexandria for a long time, meanwhile I worked at the Center for Naval Analyses for 30 years then retired. Moved to Alexandria, VA to Dumfries/Montclair in October 2006. In addition, participated in the blockade of Cuba, during the missile crisis while on a Destroyer. Participated in the Vietnam war 1968, 1970, and 1971 while on a Destroyer. Ellis Bell Jr. RMC USN Retired Ellis is survived by his sisters Sharon Joseph, Dorna Bell-Gaspard, and Theresa Bell. Grandchildren Danielle and Sonya Bey, Great-Granddaughter Seveyn Willie, Sister-in-laws Nancy Tucicile, Ellien Bell, and a host of nieces and nephews who all loved him dearly. Ellis was predeceased in death by his mother Dorothy L. Bell, father Ellis Bell Sr., brothers Lawrence D. Bell, Fredrick Bell, Benjamin V. Bell, Leroy Bell, Robert Bell, and sisters Odell Lespinasse, Annette Montas, Barbara Bell, and Brenda Michaud. |
My father and mother moved to Boston, MA when I was 6 months old along with my sister Annette who was 2 years older than me. I grew up in Boston, and at 10 years old shined shoes for 10 cents a pair. At 13 years old, my father got me a social security card so I could work in a shoe factory stockroom. Went to all my schooling in Boston until we moved to Roxbury MA, which was just a small suburb of Boston. Attended an all-boys high school and participated in Army cadet course where we had a yearly parade downtown called the school boys parade. During summer months worked part time in various print shop companies running various printing presses. Graduated from high school early in 1956 due to a special program to enlist in the US Navy. Went to boot camp in Bainbridge, MD for 3 months and graduated from that. Went home on 2 weeks leave and had orders to go back to Bainbridge, MD Navy school command for 6 month radio communication course of instruction. Graduated and was sent to Long Beach, CA, for duty aboard a Navy destroyer warship. While on that ship we made 2 cruises to the western pacific visiting Hawaii, Japan, Hong Kong China, Philippines, Guam, Okinawa, Fiji, Manus Island, and Australia. Also, during that time participated in Atom bomb test at Enewetok, Johnston Island and bikini Atoll. Left that ship in 1959 getting out of the Navy. Was so bored within 2 weeks of civilian life I reenlisted. Therefore, continued my career going to 9 months electronic school and many more according to my Radiomen rating. Met Martha in 1960 while my ship was at the Philadelphia Navy yard.