Lewis Thomas Bell

Lewis Thomas Bell, 88, died Sunday, March 19, 2017 at the Ballenger Creek Center in Frederick. Born February 1, 1929, in Frederick, MD, he was the son of the late Jesse Elmer and Dorothy Irene (Bell) Bell.  He was married on April 24, 1954 to Peggy Ann (Thompson) Bell, who died on November 22, 2000.
He worked at M. J. Painter’s Shoe Repair Shop at age 14.  He joined the U S Army on July 25, 1949.  He was a combat veteran, serving with the 3rd Infantry, 92nd Armored Field Artillery (famed “Red Devils”) of two major battles during the Korean War – the campaign against the North Koreans, and the campaign against the Chinese Communists.  Other battles included the frozen Chosin Reservoir, the Su-Won Airstrip and the Evac-uation of Hong- Nam.  He was awarded the Good Conduct Medal, the Korean Service Medal w/two bronze campaign stars, and the United Nations Service Medal.  He was discharged as S/SGT on September 10, 1952.  He worked at Fort Detrick as a Mechanical Engineering Technician in the Aerobiology Division of the U S Army Medical Research Institution of Infectious Diseases from 1953 until his retirement on February 3, 1984.

He was a member of the Francis Scott Key Post 11, American Legion; the Korean War Veterans Association, Chapter 142; the Philanthropic Masonic Lodge 168, New Market; the AMVETS, Post 2, Frederick; a life member of the VFW John R. Webb Post 3285; and the Evangelical Lutheran Church, Frederick.

He is survived by two brothers, Jesse E. Bell, Jr. (Beulah) of Myersville and Danny L. Bell (Jean)  of Monrovia; three sisters Christina I. Wilcox (John), Frederick, Dotty L. Neal of Smithsburg, and Ida Mae Blickenstaff of Myersville; nieces and nephews, Douglas A. Wilcox (Abigail) of Hagerstown, Cynthia L. Wilcox of Frederick, John E. Wilcox, III of Salisbury, Judy L. Clark (Dale) of Smithsburg, Debra J. Stanley (Doug) of Smithsburg, Mark D. Neal of Smithsburg, Tina L. Flook (Jeffrey) of Myersville, Ryan W. Bell (Emily) of Thurmont, and a special niece and caregiver, Margaret Ann Godsey (Ed) of Frederick.  He was preceded in death by two brothers, Randolph J. Bell and Ned W. Bell.
The family will receive friends from 4 to 7 p.m., on Wednesday, March 22, 2017, at the Keeney and Basford Funeral Home, 106 East Church Street, Frederick. Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m., on Thursday, March 23, 2017, at the funeral home. The Rev. Douglas Jones, will officiate. The masons will conduct a memorial service at 6:30 p.m., at the funeral home.
Interment will be in the Mount Olivet Cemetery, Frederick.
In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made Korean War Veterans Association,  PO Box 1647, Frederick, MD 21702-0647 or to Mt. Zion United Methodist Church, in C/O, Jane Bartgis, 8633 Chestnut Grove Road, Frederick, MD 21701. Online condolences may be shared at keeneybasford.com.