Ernest Eugene Kell Jr. (July 5, 1928 – April 29, 2017) served as mayor of Long Beach, California from 1984 to 1994, and as a city councilor for 13 years.[1][2][3]

Ernie Kell
25th Mayor of Long Beach
In office
1984–1994
Preceded byThomas J. Clark
Succeeded byBeverly O'Neill
Personal details
Born
Ernest Eugene Kell Jr.

(1928-07-05)July 5, 1928
Washburn, North Dakota
DiedApril 29, 2017(2017-04-29) (aged 88)
Long Beach, California
SpouseJackie Kell

Life and career

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Kell was born into modest circumstances on a farm in Washburn, North Dakota. His family moved to Wilmington during the Great Depression, where he would graduate from Phineas Banning High School. He received an associate degree from Long Beach City College, and attended California State University, Long Beach.[1]

Kell was a United States Merchant Marine, and also United States Army veteran of the Korean War.[1] He would later own a drafting and contracting company.[4][5][6] In 1973, he married his wife Jackie, herself a Long Beach city councilor from 1998 to 2006.[1][7] Kell died from cancer at his home in the El Dorado Park neighborhood of Long Beach. He was 88.[1]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e Archbold, Rich (30 April 2017). "Ernie Kell, Long Beach's first elected mayor, dies". Press Telegram.
  2. ^ "Archives". Los Angeles Times. 11 June 1989.
  3. ^ "Old cemetery gets attention". 9 July 2010.
  4. ^ "Archives". Los Angeles Times. 2 June 1988.
  5. ^ "The Political Graveyard: Politicians in Construction in North Dakota".
  6. ^ "History".
  7. ^ "Archives". Los Angeles Times. 21 July 1988.