ATCS Charles Raymond Bell, Sr., USN (Ret.), 78, longtime Oak Harbor resident, passed away April 18, 2011, at Whidbey Island Manor.

Mr. Bell was born in Chattanooga, Tenn., on April 3, 1933, to Charlie and Zelma (Cole) Bell. He was raised in Chattanooga where he graduated from high school. Charles joined the U.S. Navy in 1953 and served during Korean and the Cuban conflicts and in Vietnam. Charles had a distinguished military career for 26 years. He received many honors, including three Air Medals, Combat Action Ribbons, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medals and various Campaign Medals.

His duty stations included ZSG-4 Airship School, ZP-4 NC; VAH-7, VAH-3, VAH-5 Florida; VQ1 in Atsugi, Japan and Guam. He retired as a Senior Chief in 1979 with VAQ-134 at Whidbey Island Naval Air Station. He enjoyed many forms of racing, from racing cars on dirt tracks in Tennessee, go-carts in Florida and motorcycles in Guam with his son. He was a member of the VFW Post 7392.

Charles is survived by three children: Lita Nicolas and husband Steve and Charles Bell, Jr., all of Oak Harbor and Sheila Lewis and husband Paul of Reno, Nev.; four grandchildren, Andrew Nicolas and wife Kristina of San Diego, Tony Nicolas of Pensacola, Fla., Tina Nicolas of Oak Harbor and Michael Lewis of Reno; also, two great-grandsons, Preston and Jackson Nicolas of San Diego.

Senior Chief Bell will be honored with a Military Burial at Sea and a Private Memorial Service at a later date. Family and friends are encouraged to share memories and condolences at www.whidbeymemorial.com.