Earl Bell was born in Moline, Il. He passed away at home in Hereford, Az.
He graduated from Rock Island High School in 1939.
During World War II, Earl enlisted in the U.S. Navy on May 13, 1942. He served aboard the USS Chenango and USS Cowpens, flying a TBM Torpedo bomber. During his two deployments to the Pacific area, Earl earned the Distinguished Flying Cross and five air medals; a sixth air medal was earned during the Berlin Air Lift.
After WWII, he served at various Naval installations in the U.S. and Pacific Area. After retiring from the U.S. Navy as a Lt. Cmdr. in June of 1964, his love of flying led him to be a flight instructor in Monterey, Ca., and later in Fresno, Ca.
While making his home in Fresno, Earl belonged to Navy League, Tailhook Association, and Fleet Reserve Association. He also served as a volunteer driver for the American Cancer Society.
Earl was preceded in death by his first wife, Anita Huber; and his brothers, Jim and Ben Bell.
Earl had a wonderful sense of humor and his fascinating stories of life will be missed.
Surviving him are his second wife, Helen, now residing in Alabama; his sisters, Velma Huebner of Iowa, and Beth McCormick of California; his daughter, Adrienne Reeves in Arizona; his son, David Bell of California; a grandson, Steven Reeves; and a granddaughter, Melissa Zink. He is also survived by a stepson, five great-grandchildren, along with three step-grandchildren, and two step-great grandchildren.
Family and friends are invited to a Memorial Service to be held at the Clovis home of his son, David Bell, on Saturday, March 21, 2009, at 2:30 p.m., to celebrate his life.
www.fresnobee.com
He graduated from Rock Island High School in 1939.
During World War II, Earl enlisted in the U.S. Navy on May 13, 1942. He served aboard the USS Chenango and USS Cowpens, flying a TBM Torpedo bomber. During his two deployments to the Pacific area, Earl earned the Distinguished Flying Cross and five air medals; a sixth air medal was earned during the Berlin Air Lift.
After WWII, he served at various Naval installations in the U.S. and Pacific Area. After retiring from the U.S. Navy as a Lt. Cmdr. in June of 1964, his love of flying led him to be a flight instructor in Monterey, Ca., and later in Fresno, Ca.
While making his home in Fresno, Earl belonged to Navy League, Tailhook Association, and Fleet Reserve Association. He also served as a volunteer driver for the American Cancer Society.
Earl was preceded in death by his first wife, Anita Huber; and his brothers, Jim and Ben Bell.
Earl had a wonderful sense of humor and his fascinating stories of life will be missed.
Surviving him are his second wife, Helen, now residing in Alabama; his sisters, Velma Huebner of Iowa, and Beth McCormick of California; his daughter, Adrienne Reeves in Arizona; his son, David Bell of California; a grandson, Steven Reeves; and a granddaughter, Melissa Zink. He is also survived by a stepson, five great-grandchildren, along with three step-grandchildren, and two step-great grandchildren.
Family and friends are invited to a Memorial Service to be held at the Clovis home of his son, David Bell, on Saturday, March 21, 2009, at 2:30 p.m., to celebrate his life.
www.fresnobee.com
Earl Bell was born in Moline, Il. He passed away at home in Hereford, Az.
He graduated from Rock Island High School in 1939.
During World War II, Earl enlisted in the U.S. Navy on May 13, 1942. He served aboard the USS Chenango and USS Cowpens, flying a TBM Torpedo bomber. During his two deployments to the Pacific area, Earl earned the Distinguished Flying Cross and five air medals; a sixth air medal was earned during the Berlin Air Lift.
After WWII, he served at various Naval installations in the U.S. and Pacific Area. After retiring from the U.S. Navy as a Lt. Cmdr. in June of 1964, his love of flying led him to be a flight instructor in Monterey, Ca., and later in Fresno, Ca.
While making his home in Fresno, Earl belonged to Navy League, Tailhook Association, and Fleet Reserve Association. He also served as a volunteer driver for the American Cancer Society.
Earl was preceded in death by his first wife, Anita Huber; and his brothers, Jim and Ben Bell.
Earl had a wonderful sense of humor and his fascinating stories of life will be missed.
Surviving him are his second wife, Helen, now residing in Alabama; his sisters, Velma Huebner of Iowa, and Beth McCormick of California; his daughter, Adrienne Reeves in Arizona; his son, David Bell of California; a grandson, Steven Reeves; and a granddaughter, Melissa Zink. He is also survived by a stepson, five great-grandchildren, along with three step-grandchildren, and two step-great grandchildren.
Family and friends are invited to a Memorial Service to be held at the Clovis home of his son, David Bell, on Saturday, March 21, 2009, at 2:30 p.m., to celebrate his life.
www.fresnobee.com
He graduated from Rock Island High School in 1939.
During World War II, Earl enlisted in the U.S. Navy on May 13, 1942. He served aboard the USS Chenango and USS Cowpens, flying a TBM Torpedo bomber. During his two deployments to the Pacific area, Earl earned the Distinguished Flying Cross and five air medals; a sixth air medal was earned during the Berlin Air Lift.
After WWII, he served at various Naval installations in the U.S. and Pacific Area. After retiring from the U.S. Navy as a Lt. Cmdr. in June of 1964, his love of flying led him to be a flight instructor in Monterey, Ca., and later in Fresno, Ca.
While making his home in Fresno, Earl belonged to Navy League, Tailhook Association, and Fleet Reserve Association. He also served as a volunteer driver for the American Cancer Society.
Earl was preceded in death by his first wife, Anita Huber; and his brothers, Jim and Ben Bell.
Earl had a wonderful sense of humor and his fascinating stories of life will be missed.
Surviving him are his second wife, Helen, now residing in Alabama; his sisters, Velma Huebner of Iowa, and Beth McCormick of California; his daughter, Adrienne Reeves in Arizona; his son, David Bell of California; a grandson, Steven Reeves; and a granddaughter, Melissa Zink. He is also survived by a stepson, five great-grandchildren, along with three step-grandchildren, and two step-great grandchildren.
Family and friends are invited to a Memorial Service to be held at the Clovis home of his son, David Bell, on Saturday, March 21, 2009, at 2:30 p.m., to celebrate his life.
www.fresnobee.com
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