September 25, 1933 – September 23, 2018
It is with great sadness that the family of Dr. Philip J. Ferrell passed away suddenly in his home in Auburn on Sept. 23rd, at the age of 84.
Philip was born in Everett, WA to Dr. and Mrs. Lewis J. Ferrell in 1933. After graduating from Everett High School, he attended the California Institute of Technology in Pasadena, CA, graduating in 1955 with a Bachelor's Degree in Physics. Upon graduation he went into the Air Force where he was stationed at Griffiss Air Force Base in Rome, NY. While there he met a young nursing student who made him laugh. He married the love of his life, Joan Hazel Martin on August 31, 1957. When his time in the Air Force ended, he and his new bride moved to Seattle where they raised their four children. Philip was hired by Boeing in 1960 as a principle engineer and worked there for 33 years retiring in 1993. In 1970 he received his PhD in Electrical Engineering at the University of Washington. During his time at Boeing he filed seven patents in the field of communications. In 1974, Philip and Joan built a vacation home in Port Ludlow where they eventually moved to when he retired. Joan passed away in 2002 after 45 years of marriage. Philip was an avid ham radio operator (K7PF) since he was a teenager. It was a passion of his that lasted to the end of his life.
Philip is survived by his children, Patricia Anne Ferrell, Auburn; Sharon Rose Rickabaugh, Auburn; John Thomas Ferrell, Bellingham; Joseph Paul Ferrell, Everett; his brother, Barry (Bif) Ferrell, Chelan; also six grandchildren and four (almost five) great-grandchildren.
A memorial service will be held at St. Pius X Catholic Church in Montlake Terrace on Friday, October 19th. A Rosary will be held at 10:00 am., the Memorial at 11:00 am.
