Claude Earl Ferrel (Jr.), May 26, 1920 – May 10, 2012, passed away suddenly at St Marys Hospital surrounded by his immediate family.
Born in Boulder, Colorado to Claude Earl Ferrel and Hattie Belle Barnett, he was one of nine children. After graduating from high school in Yerington, Nevada in 1938, he attended college majoring in Pre-Med in Sacramento, Calif. until he joined the Navy in 1939. He was also drafted into the Navy 1944-1946. Between services in the Navy, he worked for Douglas Aircraft and spent time in North Africa repairing airplanes during WWII. While at Douglas Aircraft in Santa Monica, Calif., he met and married Helen Jean Cowley, his wife of 70 years on October 25, 1941.
Claude was a masonry contractor in Redondo Beach, Calif. until he moved his family to South Lake Tahoe, Nevada in 1955 after which he earned his Nevada General Contractors License #5667. He later owned the North Star Ranch in the Honey Lake Valley, Northern Washoe County, and the Gateway Family Market outside the Sierra Army Depot in Herlong, Calif.
He was preceded in death by his son, Todd Ferrel, and is survived by his wife Helen, son Bruce (Kathe), granddaughter Jenelle Kimsey (Jesse), and great grand children Logan Maree and Landen Michael.
A celebration of his life will be held for family and friends on Saturday, June 16. Please contact Bruce, 673-9289, for further information.

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