BELL, GERALD LEVERNE- Of Jackson, passed away peacefully at his home and went to be with the Lord on Thursday, October 13, 2011, age 92. Born June 30, 1919, Gerald "Jerry" was the son of Charles A. and Lula O. (Flesher) Bell. He was preceded in death by his wife of 49 years, Mercedes "Meche" and daughter Sandra. He is survived by his children, Nina Bell, Karen (Gary) Bell Fenton, Charles (Jill) Bell, Richard (Alison) Bell; brother Larry Bell; grandchildren, Andrew (Sandra), Christian, Charlie, Austin, Stefan, Natalie, Hannah, Alaina, Rachael, Nicole; and great-grandson Andrew. All will greatly miss their dear father, brother and Abuelito. Gerald was born in Everett, West Virginia at the home of his Grandparents Flesher. After graduating from New Matamoras High School in Ohio, Gerald worked with his grandfather, W.J. Bell, before enlisting in the U.S. Army in 1940. He completed basic training at Camp Shelby and served in Task Force 1291, 37th Division from Ohio, 166 Infantry Battalion, Company A. Gerald served his country for nearly five years, which included time spent at Curacao, Trinidad and Fort Benning. He ended his military service at Fort Hood as a 2nd Lieutenant, training infantry troops for battle. After the war, Gerald received both his bachelors and masters degrees in Petroleum Geology from Ohio State University. He started his career in 1950 working for International Petroleum Co in Talara, Peru. Over the next nine years, he was located in Peru and Colombia, working in oil exploration. It was in Talara where he met his beautiful wife, Mercedes, and they were married on New Year's Eve 1952. Three daughters were born during their time in Colombia, and in late 1959, Gerald moved his family to Michigan to start his own oil consulting business. Both of his sons were born in Michigan. He continued in oil consulting until making a career transition to work for the Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory. Gerald worked as a Senior Research Physical Scientist conducting research on the Great Lakes aboard the Shenehon until his retirement in 1995 at the age of 76. During his time in Jackson, Gerald faithfully attended and served his church home, Cascades Baptist. Gerald's life was marked by a fervent Christian faith, generosity, excellence in his endeavors, and serving his family as a loving and dedicated husband, father, and grandfather. A celebration of his life will be held at Cascades Baptist Church, Tuesday, October 18, at 10:00 am; Pastor Steve Jones officiating; interment Woodland Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to The Lingap Children's Foundation. The family also wishes to express their gratitude to the wonderful caregivers of Elite Care and Arbor Hospice. Visitation will be on Monday, October 17 from 6-8pm at the J.L. Watson Funeral Chapel and Tuesday at the church from 9:00 am until the time of service. www.Mlive.com/obits

J.L. Watson Funeral Chapel 2590 Spring Arbor Road Locally Owned Since 1930
Published in Jackson Citizen Patriot on October 16, 2011