John "Jack" Wright Bell was born April 28, 1918 to Mary Ethel Summers Bell and John Anton Bell in Sacramento, California. His elder half-brother through his mother was Alfred Joseph Correa Bell. The Bells lived at 1117 F Street until they moved to Oakland with Mary's mother, Rosine Marie Blonde Summers in the fall of 1919 and lived at 2919 Filbert Street. John's twin brothers, George Edwin Bell and Richard James Bell were born on December 29, 1920. By 1924 the Bells moved to a one-acre farm and bungalow at 1241 A Street in Hayward (now 671 West A Street). Just as John was beginning his schooling at San Lorenzo Grammar School in 1925, his mother, Ethel passed away from septicemia. In 1926 he transferred to the newly built Sunset Grammar School, graduating eighth grade in January, 1930 at age 12. His relationship with his brother George was stormy.
At Hayward Union High School John was a California Scholarship member, graduating in June, 1935. He then enrolled in the civil engineering program at the University of California at Berkeley. In 1937 he attended a surveyor's camp, worked for two months as a "water boy" at the Southern Pacific train yards, and joined the U.S. Army Reserves in 1939. He graduated college in 1941 and worked for the Berkeley Streets department until 1942 when he re-joined the Army as a Lieutenant officer serving in the 69th division in Fort Jackson, North Carolina. He was 6' 5" tall and wore a size 15 shoe.
In 1943 John was promoted to Captain and transferred to England, but often traveled to London for recreation. At a party he met Helen Lane of Rendcomb, Cirencester. After a whirlwind romance they were married November 27, 1943 at St. Peter's Church in Rendcomb. John was instrumental in coordinating military supplies for D-Day at Normandy. He and Helen's first child, John Lane Bell was born March 15, 1945, then on May 7, John and his brother, George Edwin Bell, an army soldier, celebrated Victory Day together in London. John received two medals as a Veteran of Foreign Wars. George earned two purple hearts.
The Bells settled in Berkeley, California, then moved to 1401 East Juana Street in San Leandro. John worked for Armco Drainage & Metal in Berkeley. Daughter Lynette Bell was born October 11, 1947. They lived in Fresno, San Diego and New York in 1950 and 1951. John's new position for Aramco took his family to Rome, Italy where his son, Peter Wright Bell was born October 26, 1952.
In 1952 the family settled in The Hague, Holland until the fall of 1955, returned to San Francisco, then moved to Bangkok, Thailand in early 1956 where John allegedly designed wastewater systems. By the fall of 1956, they were living at 266 Denslowe Drive, San Francisco, then John bought a home at 703 Tennessee Avenue near Mill Valley, Marin county circa 1957. The Bells lived in Libya, Tripoli in 1958, and in Quito, Equador in 1959. It is very possible that John worked for U.S. intelligence during his years abroad as a CIA non-official cover (NOC).
Back at home in Tam Valley, John's wife, Helen died June 24, 1960 under very suspicious circumstances. On December 18, 1960 John remarried to Margery Dorothy Palmtag Shumate in Reno, Nevada. They moved to 24 Pasatiempo Drive, Santa Cruz in 1961. John had an engineering company there, which eventually failed. He worked in Khartoum, Sudan in at least 1966. His father died that year. When his daughter, Lynette had a child, Damienne, out of wedlock in 1968, he disowned her. His son, John earned a D.Phil in mathematics from Oxford University in England in 1969.
Margery and John moved to Beaverton, Oregon, leaving teenage pilot son, Peter who married at age 17 in 1971 to Donna Gilbertson. Their son, Peter Wright Bell, Jr. was born in 1973.
In the mid-1970s, John and Margery lived in San Mateo, California. His son, John and his wife, Mimi had his third grandchild, John Alexander Xie Bell in1976 in London, England. In 1979 Johns' last grandchild, Mandolyn Bell, by his son, Peter, was born in Ukiah, California.
By 1980 John and Margery settled in Scottsdale, Arizona. Granddaughter, Damienne visited them for two weeks in 1981. Later they moved to Pebble Beach, California where John had a strange breakdown in 1994, becoming nearly catatonic. Margery put him in the care of the Veterans Memorial Hospital at Fort Miley, San Francisco, where he spent his last years, refusing calls and visitors, until his death on February, 2003. Margery had divorced John soon after his move to the vet's home. Of his progeny, only Peter attended his memorial service. John's ashes were spread at sea in San Diego.
At Hayward Union High School John was a California Scholarship member, graduating in June, 1935. He then enrolled in the civil engineering program at the University of California at Berkeley. In 1937 he attended a surveyor's camp, worked for two months as a "water boy" at the Southern Pacific train yards, and joined the U.S. Army Reserves in 1939. He graduated college in 1941 and worked for the Berkeley Streets department until 1942 when he re-joined the Army as a Lieutenant officer serving in the 69th division in Fort Jackson, North Carolina. He was 6' 5" tall and wore a size 15 shoe.
In 1943 John was promoted to Captain and transferred to England, but often traveled to London for recreation. At a party he met Helen Lane of Rendcomb, Cirencester. After a whirlwind romance they were married November 27, 1943 at St. Peter's Church in Rendcomb. John was instrumental in coordinating military supplies for D-Day at Normandy. He and Helen's first child, John Lane Bell was born March 15, 1945, then on May 7, John and his brother, George Edwin Bell, an army soldier, celebrated Victory Day together in London. John received two medals as a Veteran of Foreign Wars. George earned two purple hearts.
The Bells settled in Berkeley, California, then moved to 1401 East Juana Street in San Leandro. John worked for Armco Drainage & Metal in Berkeley. Daughter Lynette Bell was born October 11, 1947. They lived in Fresno, San Diego and New York in 1950 and 1951. John's new position for Aramco took his family to Rome, Italy where his son, Peter Wright Bell was born October 26, 1952.
In 1952 the family settled in The Hague, Holland until the fall of 1955, returned to San Francisco, then moved to Bangkok, Thailand in early 1956 where John allegedly designed wastewater systems. By the fall of 1956, they were living at 266 Denslowe Drive, San Francisco, then John bought a home at 703 Tennessee Avenue near Mill Valley, Marin county circa 1957. The Bells lived in Libya, Tripoli in 1958, and in Quito, Equador in 1959. It is very possible that John worked for U.S. intelligence during his years abroad as a CIA non-official cover (NOC).
Back at home in Tam Valley, John's wife, Helen died June 24, 1960 under very suspicious circumstances. On December 18, 1960 John remarried to Margery Dorothy Palmtag Shumate in Reno, Nevada. They moved to 24 Pasatiempo Drive, Santa Cruz in 1961. John had an engineering company there, which eventually failed. He worked in Khartoum, Sudan in at least 1966. His father died that year. When his daughter, Lynette had a child, Damienne, out of wedlock in 1968, he disowned her. His son, John earned a D.Phil in mathematics from Oxford University in England in 1969.
Margery and John moved to Beaverton, Oregon, leaving teenage pilot son, Peter who married at age 17 in 1971 to Donna Gilbertson. Their son, Peter Wright Bell, Jr. was born in 1973.
In the mid-1970s, John and Margery lived in San Mateo, California. His son, John and his wife, Mimi had his third grandchild, John Alexander Xie Bell in1976 in London, England. In 1979 Johns' last grandchild, Mandolyn Bell, by his son, Peter, was born in Ukiah, California.
By 1980 John and Margery settled in Scottsdale, Arizona. Granddaughter, Damienne visited them for two weeks in 1981. Later they moved to Pebble Beach, California where John had a strange breakdown in 1994, becoming nearly catatonic. Margery put him in the care of the Veterans Memorial Hospital at Fort Miley, San Francisco, where he spent his last years, refusing calls and visitors, until his death on February, 2003. Margery had divorced John soon after his move to the vet's home. Of his progeny, only Peter attended his memorial service. John's ashes were spread at sea in San Diego.
John "Jack" Wright Bell was born April 28, 1918 to Mary Ethel Summers Bell and John Anton Bell in Sacramento, California. His elder half-brother through his mother was Alfred Joseph Correa Bell. The Bells lived at 1117 F Street until they moved to Oakland with Mary's mother, Rosine Marie Blonde Summers in the fall of 1919 and lived at 2919 Filbert Street. John's twin brothers, George Edwin Bell and Richard James Bell were born on December 29, 1920. By 1924 the Bells moved to a one-acre farm and bungalow at 1241 A Street in Hayward (now 671 West A Street). Just as John was beginning his schooling at San Lorenzo Grammar School in 1925, his mother, Ethel passed away from septicemia. In 1926 he transferred to the newly built Sunset Grammar School, graduating eighth grade in January, 1930 at age 12. His relationship with his brother George was stormy.
At Hayward Union High School John was a California Scholarship member, graduating in June, 1935. He then enrolled in the civil engineering program at the University of California at Berkeley. In 1937 he attended a surveyor's camp, worked for two months as a "water boy" at the Southern Pacific train yards, and joined the U.S. Army Reserves in 1939. He graduated college in 1941 and worked for the Berkeley Streets department until 1942 when he re-joined the Army as a Lieutenant officer serving in the 69th division in Fort Jackson, North Carolina. He was 6' 5" tall and wore a size 15 shoe.
In 1943 John was promoted to Captain and transferred to England, but often traveled to London for recreation. At a party he met Helen Lane of Rendcomb, Cirencester. After a whirlwind romance they were married November 27, 1943 at St. Peter's Church in Rendcomb. John was instrumental in coordinating military supplies for D-Day at Normandy. He and Helen's first child, John Lane Bell was born March 15, 1945, then on May 7, John and his brother, George Edwin Bell, an army soldier, celebrated Victory Day together in London. John received two medals as a Veteran of Foreign Wars. George earned two purple hearts.
The Bells settled in Berkeley, California, then moved to 1401 East Juana Street in San Leandro. John worked for Armco Drainage & Metal in Berkeley. Daughter Lynette Bell was born October 11, 1947. They lived in Fresno, San Diego and New York in 1950 and 1951. John's new position for Aramco took his family to Rome, Italy where his son, Peter Wright Bell was born October 26, 1952.
In 1952 the family settled in The Hague, Holland until the fall of 1955, returned to San Francisco, then moved to Bangkok, Thailand in early 1956 where John allegedly designed wastewater systems. By the fall of 1956, they were living at 266 Denslowe Drive, San Francisco, then John bought a home at 703 Tennessee Avenue near Mill Valley, Marin county circa 1957. The Bells lived in Libya, Tripoli in 1958, and in Quito, Equador in 1959. It is very possible that John worked for U.S. intelligence during his years abroad as a CIA non-official cover (NOC).
Back at home in Tam Valley, John's wife, Helen died June 24, 1960 under very suspicious circumstances. On December 18, 1960 John remarried to Margery Dorothy Palmtag Shumate in Reno, Nevada. They moved to 24 Pasatiempo Drive, Santa Cruz in 1961. John had an engineering company there, which eventually failed. He worked in Khartoum, Sudan in at least 1966. His father died that year. When his daughter, Lynette had a child, Damienne, out of wedlock in 1968, he disowned her. His son, John earned a D.Phil in mathematics from Oxford University in England in 1969.
Margery and John moved to Beaverton, Oregon, leaving teenage pilot son, Peter who married at age 17 in 1971 to Donna Gilbertson. Their son, Peter Wright Bell, Jr. was born in 1973.
In the mid-1970s, John and Margery lived in San Mateo, California. His son, John and his wife, Mimi had his third grandchild, John Alexander Xie Bell in1976 in London, England. In 1979 Johns' last grandchild, Mandolyn Bell, by his son, Peter, was born in Ukiah, California.
By 1980 John and Margery settled in Scottsdale, Arizona. Granddaughter, Damienne visited them for two weeks in 1981. Later they moved to Pebble Beach, California where John had a strange breakdown in 1994, becoming nearly catatonic. Margery put him in the care of the Veterans Memorial Hospital at Fort Miley, San Francisco, where he spent his last years, refusing calls and visitors, until his death on February, 2003. Margery had divorced John soon after his move to the vet's home. Of his progeny, only Peter attended his memorial service. John's ashes were spread at sea in San Diego.
At Hayward Union High School John was a California Scholarship member, graduating in June, 1935. He then enrolled in the civil engineering program at the University of California at Berkeley. In 1937 he attended a surveyor's camp, worked for two months as a "water boy" at the Southern Pacific train yards, and joined the U.S. Army Reserves in 1939. He graduated college in 1941 and worked for the Berkeley Streets department until 1942 when he re-joined the Army as a Lieutenant officer serving in the 69th division in Fort Jackson, North Carolina. He was 6' 5" tall and wore a size 15 shoe.
In 1943 John was promoted to Captain and transferred to England, but often traveled to London for recreation. At a party he met Helen Lane of Rendcomb, Cirencester. After a whirlwind romance they were married November 27, 1943 at St. Peter's Church in Rendcomb. John was instrumental in coordinating military supplies for D-Day at Normandy. He and Helen's first child, John Lane Bell was born March 15, 1945, then on May 7, John and his brother, George Edwin Bell, an army soldier, celebrated Victory Day together in London. John received two medals as a Veteran of Foreign Wars. George earned two purple hearts.
The Bells settled in Berkeley, California, then moved to 1401 East Juana Street in San Leandro. John worked for Armco Drainage & Metal in Berkeley. Daughter Lynette Bell was born October 11, 1947. They lived in Fresno, San Diego and New York in 1950 and 1951. John's new position for Aramco took his family to Rome, Italy where his son, Peter Wright Bell was born October 26, 1952.
In 1952 the family settled in The Hague, Holland until the fall of 1955, returned to San Francisco, then moved to Bangkok, Thailand in early 1956 where John allegedly designed wastewater systems. By the fall of 1956, they were living at 266 Denslowe Drive, San Francisco, then John bought a home at 703 Tennessee Avenue near Mill Valley, Marin county circa 1957. The Bells lived in Libya, Tripoli in 1958, and in Quito, Equador in 1959. It is very possible that John worked for U.S. intelligence during his years abroad as a CIA non-official cover (NOC).
Back at home in Tam Valley, John's wife, Helen died June 24, 1960 under very suspicious circumstances. On December 18, 1960 John remarried to Margery Dorothy Palmtag Shumate in Reno, Nevada. They moved to 24 Pasatiempo Drive, Santa Cruz in 1961. John had an engineering company there, which eventually failed. He worked in Khartoum, Sudan in at least 1966. His father died that year. When his daughter, Lynette had a child, Damienne, out of wedlock in 1968, he disowned her. His son, John earned a D.Phil in mathematics from Oxford University in England in 1969.
Margery and John moved to Beaverton, Oregon, leaving teenage pilot son, Peter who married at age 17 in 1971 to Donna Gilbertson. Their son, Peter Wright Bell, Jr. was born in 1973.
In the mid-1970s, John and Margery lived in San Mateo, California. His son, John and his wife, Mimi had his third grandchild, John Alexander Xie Bell in1976 in London, England. In 1979 Johns' last grandchild, Mandolyn Bell, by his son, Peter, was born in Ukiah, California.
By 1980 John and Margery settled in Scottsdale, Arizona. Granddaughter, Damienne visited them for two weeks in 1981. Later they moved to Pebble Beach, California where John had a strange breakdown in 1994, becoming nearly catatonic. Margery put him in the care of the Veterans Memorial Hospital at Fort Miley, San Francisco, where he spent his last years, refusing calls and visitors, until his death on February, 2003. Margery had divorced John soon after his move to the vet's home. Of his progeny, only Peter attended his memorial service. John's ashes were spread at sea in San Diego.
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