Gordon L. Bell

Captain Gordon L. Bell, 86, of Lansdale, PA passed away May 20, 2025. He was the husband of the late Joan Bell who resided in Lansdale, PA with whom he had shared 36 years of marriage. Born in Teaneck, New Jersey on June 17, 1938, he was the son of the late George Bell and Harriet (Seitz) Bell. Gordon and Joan traveled extensively to all seven continents of the world.

Gordon graduated from North Arlington N.J. High School in 1956 and Bucks County Community College in 1982. He also attended the Armed Forces Staff College, Norfolk. VA, National Defense University, Washington, DC and the Naval War College, Newport, RI.

Captain Bell was a career U.S. Coast Guard veteran, serving on active duty for 10 years that included a tour aboard the Cutter CAMPBELL during the Korean War era. He commanded several units during his reserve duty of more than 42 years, retiring in 1998. He was also a retired manager of the Prudential Insurance Company in Newark, NJ and Fort Washington, PA.

Mr. Bell was a 64-year member of the Free and Accepted Masons, 32° and currently belonged to the Doylestown Lodge #245, Doylestown, PA, the Scottish Rite Consistory, Valley of Allentown, PA.He was a member of the LuLu Temple Shriners-Legion of Honor of Plymouth Meeting, PA and was a member of the National Sojourners, Minuteman Chapter # 995 the Benjamin Franklin Chapter #16 and the Valley Forge High Twelve Club No. 305.

Captain Bell was an active member of the Reserve Officers Association of the U.S. and held many national and state offices, including the New Jersey state presidency; and President of the Coast Guard Chapter #16. The Military Officers Association of America and Past President of the Willow Grove Chapter; the American Legion USS Tampa Coast Guard Post #719, NY; A Past President of the South East Pennsylvania Council - Navy League of the U.S., NAS Willow Grove, PA; the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve, South East Pennsylvania Committee. Captain Bell also served four years as the President of the USCGC CAMPBELL Association. Most recently, Mr. Bell served as the President of the Dock Woods Living Branches Community Resident Council, Lansdale, PA where he resided.

He was a member and a ruling elder of the Lenape Valley Presbyterian Church, New Britain, PA and was the Red Cross Blood-Drive organizer as well as a 52 gallon blood/platelet donor.

Gordon was a former Judge of Elections, Chalfont Borough where he formerly resided for 35 years and was later elected as a Councilman and served on the Police Committee.

Surviving besides his wife are two sons, Kenneth (Beverly) of South Daytona, Florida and Kurt (Michelle) of Elizabethtown, PA; five grandsons and 1 step granddaughter; six great grandchildren, and a sister, Carol A. Pappas of Hope Mills, NC. He was predeceased by a brother, Robert A. Bell.

Relatives and friends are invited to his celebration of life viewing and service from 9 to 12 Noon on Monday June 9, 2025 with his funeral service following at 10 a.m. and fellowship time hosted by the Deacons at 11 am at Lenape Valley Church, 321 West Butler Avenue, New Britain, PA 18901 followed by burial with full military honors at the Washington Crossing National Cemetery, Newtown, PA 18940 at 1 PM. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to: Lenape Valley Presbyterian Church and Shriners Hospital for Children, Tampa, FL. 33607