Christopher (Chris) Steven Ferrell

Chief Electrician's Mate (EMC) Christopher (Chris) Steven Ferrell, U.S. Navy, 47, of Monterey, California, passed away on February 19, 2026, in Monterey. Born in Virginia, Minnesota, Chris served his country for more than 28 years and remained on active duty at the time of his passing, something he likely would have described as "a solid run."

Chris enlisted in the U.S. Navy in July 1997 and went on to build a career spanning nearly three decades, countless inspections, and more than a few late-night troubleshooting sessions. He served at duty stations across the United States, Europe, and the Middle East. His assignments included Naval Station San Diego; USS Constellation (CV-64) (2000-2003); USS John C. Stennis (CVN-74) (2003-2006); IMF Pacific Northwest (2006-2009); USS Momsen (DDG-92) (2009-2014); Afloat Training Group Mayport (2014-2017); USS Carney (DDG-64) (2017-2020); USS Dextrous (MCM-13) (2021-2023); NMRTC Portsmouth (2023-2024); and most recently the Naval Postgraduate School.

Along the way, Chris earned numerous honors reflecting his extensive time at sea, including the distinctions of Shellback, Golden Shellback, and Emerald Shellback, titles he wore with quiet pride and likely a story to match. He visited more than 30 countries during his service, embracing the opportunity to explore, learn, and occasionally critique the electrical standards abroad.

Chris fully embodied what it meant to be a Chief. He was a steadfast advocate for his Sailors, but he never compromised on standards. He believed in accountability, professionalism, and doing things the right way, even if it meant pulling out the instruction to prove it. Known for his sharp intellect, he could reference the exact manual, paragraph, and page number needed to support his point. With his trademark dry wit, he often declared he was "allergic to stupidity," a phrase he wore proudly, including on a favorite shirt gifted to him by his wife. Those who knew him understood it carried both humor and high expectations.

He did not seek attention or applause, but those who knew him understood the depth of his loyalty. He loved his family fiercely and showed it not through grand gestures, but through consistency, reliability, and quiet strength. If something needed fixing, whether electrical, professional, or personal, Chris was the one you called.

He is survived by his beloved wife, Angela Ferrell; his children, Logan (16) and Alexa (10), who will forever carry forward his determination and sense of humor; his parents, David and Patricia Ferrell of Virginia, Minnesota; and his sister, Marie Today of Buhl, Minnesota, along with her husband, Ben, and their children, Bella and Reed.

A funeral service with full military honors will be held at Mission Mortuary in Monterey, California, on March 12 at 1:00 p.m., followed by a reception. A Celebration of Life will also be held in Minnesota at a later date.