Thomas "Tom" Edward Powell

Tom Powell passed away on September 5th, 2024, at the age of 92.

Tom was born in Duluth, Minnesota, on December 27th, 1931.  His mom Nellie Grant Powell was a public school teacher, and Miss Oklahoma of 1922.  His dad Thomas Evan Powell didn’t go to high school, but traveled the world working as a miner, and discovered the Cullinan Diamond, the largest gem-quality diamond ever found.  His sister Janette Powell was a public school teacher in Chicago, and had a wicked sense of humor.  His sister Leta Powell Drake was a public television personality who went viral for her unique style of interviewing celebrities.  His brother Jack  Powell is a retired Washington DC police officer who restores vintage cars and is an avid hunter and fisherman; his brother Jim Powell was a history professor at University of California Long Beach.

He enlisted in the Navy out of high school, and served as an Electronics Technician on the USS Epperson.  He went to University of Wisconsin on the GI Bill, and met Mary, his much-loved wife of 66 years, in Madison, Wisconsin.  After college, he went into sales.  This was perfect, because he had an innate ability to easily talk to anyone, an ability he often exercised.  He sold feminine hygiene products in the Dakotas, and, ultimately, industrial ventilation equipment for Aerovent in Ohio.  He was extremely good at his work, but never let it compromise his dedication to his wife Mary and his three sons: Ken, John, and Tom.  He was a much bigger part of their lives than most husbands and fathers of his generation.  He also was genuinely loved by his five grandchildren, and was a big part of their lives.  He passed on the importance of balancing  dedication to work and family to his sons, along with a love of travel, sailing, and Broadway musicals.

In retirement, Tom and Mary traveled to some of the places they always wanted to see, including Italy, England, Norway, Russia, China, and Hawai’i.  They lived in the home they raised their family in, in large part thanks to John, who was his dad’s caregiver the last few years, as Alzheimer’s took its toll.  We count ourselves very fortunate that Tom’s personality remained largely untouched by Alzheimer’s.  He was happy and gracious even as his memory failed him, often remarking on what a beautiful day it was, how stunning the sunset over Lake Erie was, or how much he appreciated the food he was eating or the help that was offered.

He will be remembered for his humor, his positivity, his strength, his kindness, and his generosity.  He looked out for his family, his friends, the families of his friends, and the friends of his family.