Gary Powell

Gary Kent Powell, a native of  Tipton County, Indiana, was called to his heavenly home on Saturday, January 13, 2007, at the age of 66 years.  Gary was born October 3, 1940, the son of Herschel Andrew and Lena Armenda (Matthews) Powell.  He was a member of the Ascension Lutheran Church, Huntsville, Alabama.

Gary graduated from Emanuel Lutheran School in 1953, Tipton High School in 1957 and Purdue University in January 1962.  Following graduation from Purdue, Gary received a commission in the U.S. Army as a 2nd Lieutenant through Purdue's ROTC program.  Entering active duty in April that year, he served the next 23 1/2 years with duty in various grades and positions in Alabama, Maryland, Korea, Vietnam, Kentucky, Georgia and Texas.  He retired from active military service on July 31, 1985 and began a career as an Army Civil Service employee in November 1986, serving in Illinois, Texas, Korea and Alabama as a Quality Assurance Specialist (Ammunition Surveillance) until his death.  While in the Army, Major Powell was awarded the Legion of Merit, the Bronze Star Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal with 3 Oak Leaf Clusters, the Joint Service Commendation Medal, the Army Commendation Medal (x5) and numerous other awards and decorations.

Gary married Yong-Suk Kim, daughter of Hang-Sik Kim and In Soon Yu at Seoul City Hall, Seoul, Republic of Korea, on September 27, 1967.

Gary is survived by his wife of 39 years, Yong-Suk (Kim) Powell of Huntsville, Alabama, his son Andrew Clinton Powell of Texarkana, Arkansas, a granddaughter, Morgan Powell of Ft. Hood, Texas, a brother, Robert "Bob" and wife Arlene Powell of Tipton County, two nieces, Rebecca Hoffman and Carrie Jo Boyer and three grandnephews and two grandnieces also of Tipton County.

Many distant relatives and extended family members know Gary because of his research into the genealogies of the families of George Powell (Maryland), William Matthews (Georgia), Barnabus McGhehey (Kentucky), and Friedrick Landsiedel (Landseadel) (Indiana),  of whom he was a descendant.  Gary willingly shared his research with family members and was always thankful for the information they in turn were willing to share with him.

Visitation will be held from 5:00-7:00 p.m. Tuesday, January 15, at Barryhill Funeral Home in Huntsville, Alabama with a funeral service at 7:00 p.m. 

A brief graveside service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Friday, January 19 at Fairview Cemetery in Tipton with the Rev. Kurt Gremel presiding and military honors to follow.  Young-Nichols Funeral Home is in charge of the local arrangements.