John M Bell Jr.

John M. Bell, Jr., 90, died on Tuesday, June 13, at Baptist Medical Center Beaches. He was born in San Antonio, but lived at the beaches from the age of three. In 1943, he married Clara Reid Hoffmann (who pre-deceased him) and they raised four children in Atlantic Beach.

John graduated from Fletcher High School in 1940 and began his maritime career shortly thereafter. During World War II he served in the American Merchant Marine, and his voyages on US Liberty ships took him to ports around the globe. After the war he continued to sail, and earned his chief engineer's license. In the early 1950s John began to hold positions at Jacksonville Shipyards, and he eventually became an independent marine surveyor and port engineer. His work took him to many US and foreign ports, including lengthy stays in Greece and Singapore. Often John's wife accompanied him and managed the paperwork that these complex projects generated.

John was known for his great sense of responsibility to his family, his friends, and his country. He also had a special sense of humor and entertained listeners with stories about growing up at the beach, his working years at sea and onshore, and the various fishing expeditions he took with his son Jack, who died in October 2011.

John is survived by his three daughters, Barbara Hamilton, Beverly Bell (John), and Nancy Ruppert (Jeff); his grandchildren, Debbie Eisert (Bill), Robert Hamilton (Mel), and Michael Bell (Christina); and five great grandchildren, as well as many other relatives and his dear friend Jean McCormick.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, June 16, at 3:00 pm at Community Presbyterian Church, 150 Sherry Drive, Atlantic Beach, FL 32233.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Community Presbyterian Church at the above address.