Douglas Karr, Petty Officer Second Class, United States Navy Veteran
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Taco Bell founder, WWII Veteran Dies at age 86
Best known as the founder of the largest Mexican fast-food chain Taco Bell, Glen W. Bell Jr. died Sunday at his home in Rancho Santa Fe. He had been suffering from Parkinson’s disease since 1986 though the cause of death has not been released, he was 86.
"Glen Bell was a visionary and innovator in the restaurant industry, as well as a dedicated family man," Greg Creed, president of Taco Bell, said in the statement posted on the Taco Bell Web site.
After witnessing the success of McDonald’s Bar-B-Que, Bell launched his first restaurant, Bell’s Drive-In in 1948 in San Bernardino. He took advantage of the southern California car culture and served food through drive-in windows. Restaurants like Taco Tias in Los Angeles, El Tacos in the Long Beach area and Der Wienerschnitzel, were all launched by Bell as well.
Taco Bell got underway in 1962 in Downey and quickly spread throughout Los Angeles. He sold his first franchise two years later and eventually sold his 868 Taco Bell restaurants to PepsiCo for $125 million in stock in 1978.
Glen Bell Jr. was not only an extremely successful entrepreneur, but also a World War II veteran. He joined the Marines soon after his high school graduation. He served as a waiter for top-military brass in the South Pacific.
Sadly, the veteran community loses members every day to natural causes and illness. A growing issue has been the occurrence of veterans being diagnosed with military-caused diseases. Veteran mesothelioma cases occupy the largest group of those stricken with the type of cancer caused by asbestos inhalation.
Mesothelioma is an aggressive form of cancer occurs when tiny asbestos fibers become embedded in the body’s chest and abdominal cavities as well as the cavity around the heart. The frequent use of asbestos in various locations within all branches of service has had fatal effects on the members of the military.
As a veteran and the creator of Taco Bell which serves 36.8 millions customers each week, Glen Bell has touched many lives in many ways. He is survived by his wife, Martha, three sisters, two sons, a daughter and four grandchildren. A private funereal is planned.
