Dee Albert Powell

Dee Albert Powell passed away Wednesday November 9th with family by his side. He was born April 17th, 1925 to Albert and Ethel Powell, in North Platte, Nebraska. He was the 11th of 12 children. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by son, Ronald, and Granddaughter Michelle, his siblings: Levi, Orpha, Janie, Grace, Mae, Martha, Ray, Elcia, “Baby Sister,” and Dewey. He is survived by his brother, Wayne Powell of Lochbuie Colorado, his wife of 70 years, Helen of Arvada Colorado, three daughters, Beverly (Gene) Coverdale of Golden Colorado, Shirley (Jerry) Gross of Lincolnton North Carolina, Connie Groves of Arvada Colorado, six grandchildren, Donna (Jeff) Peterson, Shauna (Brian) Keupp, Jarrid (Leticia) Gross, Jimmy (Beth) Gross, Kendra (Brian) Lanterman and James (Kristen) Zimmerman, five step grandchildren, Rick, Jeri Sue, David, Kim, and Laurie, thirteen great grandchildren, 1 great-great grandson, numerous step great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.

He was a wonderful husband, father, father-in-law, granddad, brother, uncle and a special friend to many.

He was a World War II veteran, fought in the Battle of the Bulge, serving in the Ninth Armored Division 60th Infantry First Army.

While overseas doing combat duty, Dee’s sister Elcia wrote him about a girl that went to the dances and wanted him to meet her upon his return from the war. After being honorably discharged on Wednesday, June 12th 1946, the very next day went to the dance at the North Platte Cantin and his sister Elcia introduced him to his future wife, Helen Grasz. They danced, fell in love, and were married a few months later on October 1st, 1946. They began their married life and raised their family in North Platte Nebraska, for 12 years, until his work relocated him to Denver Colorado in June 1958. They made their first home in Lakewood Colorado. He LOVED Colorado and quickly began to enjoy camping, fishing, traveling and horseshoes. He owned pickup campers, motor homes, and fifth wheel trailers. He was a member of the North Forty Good Sam’s Club, the National Horseshoe Pitchers Association and the Colorado Horseshoe Pitchers Association. They have traveled to all of the 50 United States, and enjoyed many cruises.

Dee knew the meaning of hard work and had many occupations. His earliest jobs were baling hay for his dad, pumping gas, and as a grocery store clerk. After the war, he hauled gravel for a construction company and worked as a brakeman on the Northern Pacific Railroad. He owned several semi tractors and 4 milk trucks. He picked up milk from farmers to deliver to Fairmont Creamery - hiring his nephew Delbert Greeley, his brothers Wayne and Dewey, and friend Dick Manchester and at the same time hauling furniture for Montgomery Ward in the afternoons. He drove a truck for Interstate Motor Freight System for 27 years, driving from Denver to Omaha and back. He retired from the road in 1983 at the age of 58. After retirement he did custom haying in the Brighton Colorado area for several years before moving to Arvada Colorado.

Dee always loved pitching horseshoes while growing up. After retiring from the road, he joined a Horseshoe club in Commerce City Colorado. He participated in many horseshoe tournaments over the years, and attended “World Horseshoe Tournaments” in Wisconsin, Nevada, Idaho, Oklahoma, North Dakota, Tennessee, and Red Deer Alberta Canada. He cherished the friendships of his teammates he made during that special time. He was a renowned horseshoe pitcher and at the Team World 2000 in Beloit Wisconsin, he threw 12 straight ringers and led Team Colorado to its first win. He was inducted into the Colorado Horseshoe Pitchers Hall of Fame in 1998. He competed horseshoes into his mid-eighties, even had his own horseshoe pits inside his shop where he pitched several hundred shoes every day.

Dee’s favorite place to camp with family was Sylvan Lake near Eagle Colorado and enjoyed it two weeks every summer for 35 years. His happiest moments were times spent with family, especially the grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Dee and Helen’s love of dancing continued through their life and were members of several Square dance and Round dance clubs.

On October 1st of this year, they celebrated their “70th” Wedding Anniversary.

He was a much loved man, and will be greatly missed by all who knew him.

In Lieu of flowers please send donations to Compassus Hospice, 2460 West 26th Avenue Suite 300-C, Denver, CO 80211

Arrangements under the direction of Olinger Crown Hill Mortuary, Cemetery & Arboretum, Wheat Ridge, CO.