He was born on Feb. 23, 1925, at Eldorado, Ill., to Grover Leland and Minnie Lea (Maloney) Powell. He grew up and attended schools at Eldorado.
He enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1948 and later re-enlisted in the U.S. Air Force in 1950. He was honorably discharged in 1977.
He married Neoma G. Key on Aug. 10, 1954, at Kansas City, Mo. She preceded him in death on Feb. 26, 2006.
He served on several Air Force bases over the years, working as a jet mechanic. His service also included a few tours of duty overseas. He moved to Dodge City in 1971 and worked for the city and then moved to Enid, Okla., before moving to Parsons in 1996. He worked for Wal-Mart for a few years after moving to Parsons.
He was a life member of Brown-Bishop Post No. 704 Veterans of Foreign Wars of Parsons and the American Military Society.
He loved to visit with people about his military service. He was proud of the fact that he made a career out of serving his country in the Air Force. He enjoyed working, being active and talking to people.
Survivors include a son, David Powell of Dodge City; a daughter, Donna Smith, and her husband, John, of Parsons; five grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; four brothers, George “Bill” Powell of Sebring, Fla., John Powell of Dodge City, Raymond Powell of Texas and Grover Powell of Udall; a sister, Thelma Lilburn of Sebring, Fla.
In addition to his wife, he was preceded in death by two brothers, a sister, and a son, Bobby Powell.
The graveside service will at 2 p.m. Thursday at Fort Smith National Cemetery at Fort Smith, Ark. Burial will follow. Military honors will be conducted by the Little Rock Air Force Base Honor Guard. The family will receive friends from 7 to 8 Wednesday at Carson-Wall Funeral Home.
Memorials are suggested to Hospice Care of Kansas and may be left at or mailed to the funeral home 112 N. 26th St., P.O. Box 942, Parsons, KS 67357.
Online condolences may be left for the family at www.wallfuenralservices.com
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