Milton “Dean” Powell, 63, of Sparta, died March 15, 2008, at his home.
His memorial service will be at 2 p.m. Friday at the New Bridge Grange. Friends are invited to join the family for a potluck reception after the service at the Grange hall.
Dean was born on July 14, 1944, at Kuna, Idaho. He was the second son and the fourth of eight children born to Milton Wesley Powell and Nellie Frances Barnes Powell.
His family moved to the New Plymouth/Fruitland, Idaho, area in 1950. Dean worked on the family farm, was active in the Nazarene Church and was a 1962 Fruitland High School graduate.
He was married to his first wife, Colleen, on Oct. 21, 1961. The couple had one son, Perry.
They soon moved to Ontario where Dean spent a number of years. He was an active member of the Jaycees and the Optimists, and was frequently involved in a number of community projects.
During his time in Ontario, he was employed by Chevron, Home Dairies, 1st National Bank and Gentry Ford. In 1980, after a short time at Phoenix, Ariz., he moved to Portland to assist his brother, Wes, in operating an award-winning Chevron service center.
During this time he met his current wife, Faith, and in 1989 relocated to Sparta. He spent a short time with the Baker City Herald before settling in as store manager for Richland Feed and Seed, a position he held until his death.
Dean was well-loved and respected wherever he went, his family said. He was a patient man, always seeing the good side in people, and literally living by The Golden Rule: Treat others as you wish to be treated. He enjoyed the outdoors and the simple life, regardless of the hardships involved, his family said. He will be greatly missed by friends and family alike.
Survivors include three brothers, Wes Powell of Stafford, Ariz., Terry Powell of Peoria, Ariz., and Gary Powell of Las Vegas, Nev.; three sisters, Wanda Powell of Arlington, Wash., Vivian Dobbins of Estacada, and Nita Martin of Gresham; many nieces and nephews; his wife, Faith Powell of Sparta, stepson, David and stepgrandchildren, Alyssa and Faelinn; his son, Perry, and his wife, Shelli, of Sparta, their children Lucas, Cody and Carlie, and their grandmother, Colleen Powell of Ontario.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his stepmother, Ivis; and his sister, Rosalie.
Memorial contributions may be made to help defray funeral costs through Tami’s Pine Valley Funeral Home, P.O. Box 543, Halfway, OR 97834.
Used with permission from: Baker City Herald, Baker City, Oregon, March 20, 2008
Transcribed by: Belva Ticknor