Alton Dee Powell

Alton Dee Powell, 94, died peacefully in his sleep on June 23, 2023, in Arlington, TX. Alton was born in Howe, TX to Lee Austin Powell and Ethel Lee Atkinson Powell on July 10, 1928, and lived in McKinney, TX until age ten. Necessitated by poverty, Alton packed his few belongings in a small paper sack, put on his single pair of holed shoes, and was sent to live with his paternal grandparents, James and Minnie Powell, in Blue Ridge, TX. At 14, he began attending Westminster High School and met the love of his life, Iva Foncell Fields, on the school bus. He loved her freckles, and she loved his sad eyes. “It was love at first sight for me. We made eye contact the very first time I saw her, and that was it. We were never very far apart from that time on,” Alton said. After graduating high school, Alton married Foncell on September 4, 1946, and they started their lives together in Dallas.

After serving in the National Guard, Alton began his career in the wholesale drug business in 1947, when he was hired by McKesson & Robbins in the pricing department. For 29 loyal years, he worked his way up, holding positions as a Salesman, Hospital Representative, Division Manager in Fort Smith, AR, and Tulsa, OK, Zone Sales Manager for Fort Smith and Little Rock, AR, and later all of Texas and New Mexico. In 1976 he went to work for Texas Drug Company in Fort Worth as assistant to owner and president David Halbower. By the time Alton retired in 1994, he was president and CEO of Texas Drug Company. After exercising his tireless work ethic for decades, Alton always remained understated and practical, save for one frivolity: spiffy, hole-free shoes.

While proud of his career, Alton always said his proudest accomplishment was the family he built with his “darlin’ Foncie.” On a rare, snowy day in Texas in 1947, their daughter Ronda Gail was born. In 1954, their son Alton Keith was born after Foncell underwent an emergency appendectomy just one month prior. Foncell’s survival crystallized Alton’s faith in God and, at 25, he became a quietly devoted Christian who idealized the egalitarian, kind teachings of Jesus. He went on to serve as a church deacon in both Arkansas and Texas.

In his spare time, Alton enjoyed hitting the links and famously made a hole-in-one on The Old White Course at The Greenbrier in White Sulphur Springs, WV. He also enjoyed strumming his guitar. Pre-Foncell, Alton’s life was like a sad country song; it’s no wonder he connected so much with the music of The Highwaymen in adulthood. Alton loved working on puzzles, admiring old cars, sneaking a cheeky Snickers bar here and there, having Scrabble showdowns, and being around his family.

After retirement, Alton advised his son, Keith, in the purchase of Fort Worth Key Magazine and sold ads for the next 12 years. Alton’s daughter, Ronda, has owned her own interior design business for 45+ years, and he was a devoted adviser to her for several years, too. To his delight, Alton became a grandfather four times over and a great-grandfather seven times over (and counting). Alton’s grandchildren christened him with the loving moniker “Dan Dan.” Perhaps correcting what his own childhood lacked, Alton was a stalwart provider of stability, patience, and love, even when his descendants made lackluster choices. (A flawed, eternally grateful grandchild is penning this very obituary. I love you, Dan Dan.)

Alton was the opposite of self-important. He gave so much to everyone else, and then would sincerely exclaim “For me?!” whenever one of his grandchildren or great-grandchildren presented him with a birthday or Christmas gift. His greatest pleasures weren’t things. Alton was happiest when surveying his living room on Christmas Eve with children, then grandchildren, then great-grandchildren underfoot, watching everyone laugh, eat Foncie’s famous Christmas tree cookies, and exchange gifts. His aspirations were simple and pure, and he achieved them all.

For 80 years, Alton’s greatest desire was the company of Foncell, his darlin’, and she was by his side until his final breath. He is now at peace with his Lord and Savior in heaven, content to wait for his beloved bride.

Alton is predeceased by his grandparents, parents, and siblings Laura Lee Powell Brooks, Horace Clifford Powell, and James E. Powell. Alton is survived by his wife of 76 years, Foncell, daughter Ronda Powell Watkins and partner Howard Wharton, son Alton Keith Powell and wife Stacia Duncan Powell; Grandchildren: Natalie Watkins Ricketts and husband Justin Ricketts, Alton Duncan Powell and wife Amy Wingard Powell, Alexander James Powell, Bailey Powell Aldrich and husband Richard S. Aldrich IV, and Ashley Rae Wymore and partner Robert Liszewski; Great-grandchildren: Hannah Ricketts Hossain and husband Syed Hossain, Madeline Ricketts Hall and husband Keegan Hall, Brooklynn Trip Powell, Ransom Alexander Powell, River Grey Powell, Zygmunt “Ziggy” Robert Liszewski, and Willow James Powell. He is survived by many beloved cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends.

The visitation will be held Tuesday, June 27, 6-8 p.m. and the funeral will be held Wednesday, June 28 at 11 a.m., both at Moore Funeral Home & Memorial Gardens located at 1219 N. Davis Dr. Arlington, TX 76012. Alton was so proud of his great-granddaughter Madeline’s flower shop, Trophy Blooms, and loved to visit her store. If you’d like to send flowers to the funeral home, please call Trophy Blooms at 817-271-0250. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Alton and Foncell’s favorite charitable organization, Mission Arlington.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.moore-funeralhome.com for the Powell family.