JOHN BRIAN FERREL SR.

FERREL JOHN BRIAN FERREL, SR. Brian Ferrel passed away in Stuart, Florida on July 21, 2016, surrounded by his family. Brian was born July 20, 1941 in Buffalo, New York to Marian Kinsella Ferrel and Irving John Ferrel. There, he attended Nichols Preparatory School and upon graduation headed to Georgetown University where he earned his undergraduate degree. He went on to earn his Juris Doctorate at The Columbus School of Law of Catholic University in 1967 followed by a Masters degree (LLM) in Taxation Law at Georgetown University in 1975. He also was admitted to the DC Bar Association and the U.S. Court of Appeals. It was during his college years that Brian met Sandra Lee Sexton, the love of his life. The two were married June 18, 1966, and recently celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary. Together, the two raised their family in North Bethesda, MD, and took great pride in their three children Jennifer Ferrel Bollinger, John Brian Ferrel, Jr. (Kimberly Ocampo) and Susan Ferrel Duarte (Garrett Duarte). They were then blessed with six grandsons: Ross and Parker Bollinger, Garrett and Jackson Duarte and Trey (John Brian Ferrel III) and Charles Alexander Ferrel. Brian is also survived by his brother, Michael G. Ferrel. After working for a small law firm in Washington, DC, and GEICO, he went to work for the U.S. Department of Justice, Tax Division, where he spent 37 years as a dedicated attorney receiving numerous awards. During retirement Brian enjoyed traveling and spending time with his family. After moving part-time to Stuart, FL, Brian and Sandee made Mariner Sands their full-time home in 2006. An avid golfer, Brian was a member of Congressional Country Club in Potomac, MD as well as Mariner Sands Country Club in Stuart, FL, where he served on the Board of Directors from 2009-2012. As a devout Catholic, Brian and Sandee attended St. Christopher''s Catholic Church as well as Saturday Mass at the Mariner Sands Chapel. He was part of the Mariner Sands Men''s Bible Group and a member of the Mariners golf group. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 12:30 p.m. on Friday, August 19, 2016 at Our Lady of Mercy Church in Potomac, MD. A memorial service and burial are also planned at the Mariner Sands Chapel in the fall. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Leukemia And Lymphoma Society (www.lls.org). More information is available at www.martin-funeral.com. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 12:30 p.m. on Friday, August 19, 2016 at Our Lady of Mercy Church in Potomac, MD. A memorial service and burial are also planned at the Mariner Sands Chapel in the fall. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Leukemia And Lymphoma Society (www.lls.org). More information is available at www.martin-funeral.com.