Obituary for Roy Powell

Roy C. Powell

August 22, 1930 ~ March 2, 2022 (age 91)

Roy C. Powell died at his home Wednesday morning, March 2, a rare and engaging individual, he will be missed by many. He was 91. A memorial service for Roy will be held at the Hartford Avenue Church of Christ at one o’clock, Monday, March 14.

Roy was born on an oil lease outside of Blackwell, Oklahoma on August 22, 1930. He was the third of five children born to Clon and Thelma Powell. After living most of his childhood years in Oklahoma, the family moved to Haven, Kansas where Roy attended school for several years before another move took the family to Russell, Kansas where Roy graduated from High School. It was there that he met and fell in love with Annabel Webb, the girl that he would marry some 62 years later. Following graduation, however, the demands of life caused them to be separated while Roy attended a business college in Chillicothe, Missouri. Following college, Roy went to work for the Mountain States Telephone and Telegraph company in Cheyenne, WY. When the Korean war came, Roy volunteered and spent four years in the Submarine Service of the United States Navy. It was in that service that Roy developed a lifelong interest in navigation. Following his honorable discharge, he returned to his previous employment in Cheyenne but eventually transferred to AT&T, working in Laramie, WY for two years. He was married for a short time to Marguerite O’Grady. Roy then transferred into the Engineering Department at AT&T’s headquarters in Kansas City, MO where he would work until his retirement in 1989, having given more than 42 years to the same company!

While working in Kansas City, he met Margaret Walker, originally from Oxford, England. They married and enjoyed life together for 47 years. It was also in Kansas City that Roy became friends with Glen and Rosalee Masterson, a friendship that has persisted through the years. After retirement from AT&T Roy and Margaret moved to Florence, Colorado and made it their home for the next 17 years, until Margaret’s passing. While in Florence, Roy was active in city affairs, and was elected twice to the Florence City Council. While serving the community in that capacity, Roy became a driving force behind the development of the Bear Paw Golf Course. Following Margaret’s death, Roy decided to relocate to Ponca City, where his sister Doris and her husband, John Reynolds lived. After returning to Oklahoma, Roy learned through Doris that Annabel, his high school sweetheart was living, in Stigler, Oklahoma. She had been recently widowed. After reconnecting they at last were married and were able to enjoy almost eight years of life together before Annabel’s passing. Once again, Roy returned to Ponca City to be near his sister Doris and made this his home until his passing. While living here he made a number of good friends.

Roy’s passing was preceded by his parents, a sister, Billie Bassett, his wife Margaret, and his wife Annabel. His passing is mourned by two nieces, Jan Reynolds and Julie Reynolds, his nephew Greg Reynolds, and by his great niece, Anna Beets of Ponca City. He will also be greatly missed and fondly remembered by his lifelong friends Glen and Rosalee Masterson, of Rogers, AR and by dear friends Vance and Pam Green of Ponca City who are now providing a home for Mollie, Roy’s Cocker Spaniel. Roy was a member of the Church of Christ, both in Stigler and Ponca City (Hartford Avenue Church of Christ). He was also a member of the VFW and the American Legion. Just days before his death, he reported to several people, “God has really blessed me, all of my life!”

Don Huddleston, retired minister, friend and confidante will officiate.