Leslie Joseph Powell

Leslie (Les) Powell was born on December 5, 1940, to Leslie Powell Sr. and Annie Bell Powell (nee Hill) in Greenville, MS. Because it was wartime and his father worked on a government boat, he spent much of his youth on a farm with his maternal grandparents, Pink and Annie Hill.

He attended Sacred Heart Catholic School in Greenville, Ms. and did his undergraduate studies at Tennessee State University in Nashville, TN.

Les joined the Air Force in July, 1960, and served 20 years retiring at his last post, which was Lowry AFB in Denver, CO. He had deployments to France, England, Thailand and other countries. He served honorably and was a veteran of the Vietnam War, earning Vietnam Service and Campaign medals. Following his military retirement, he worked for the National Park Service for 18 years in a variety of positions, ending his career as the Building Manager for the Western Region which required him to travel to the various parks within his region to assist in issues with buildings ranging from leasing agreements to managing construction projects for entirely new structures when needed. He retired from the Park Service in 1998.

He married Shirley Powell (nee Brown) in November, 1961, and together they had a daughter, Germaine Loi (Lori). They divorced following a lengthy separation.

Les met Gail Brandt in 1968 while he was assigned to Mountain Home AFB, Idaho. They married in 1972 following his return from Vietnam and Thailand. They spent the next 51 years together, enjoying golfing, fishing, house boating on Lake Powell, playing cards with friends and family, traveling to places like Greece, Venice, Aruba, and simply being together. Les accompanied Little Milton Campbell’s Blues band to Amsterdam, Netherlands, as a “Roadie” for one of the entertainers. He made friends easily and had a “passel of buddies” in Denver, Aurora, Wiley, and Lamar, CO, whom he often fished, hunted, golfed, and drank with. He had strong friendships with many people, including football players Winston Hill and Nemiah Wilson along with their wives, Carolyn and Jackie, respectively. Both Les and Gail joined the Fraternal Order of Eagles, Aurora Aerie #3224 and maintained memberships with that organization for over 15 years. He loved to play poker and golf with his Eagle buddies and volunteered to call Bingo at the Eagles as well as deal cards for residents at the VA Hospital in Aurora, CO.

He was preceded in death by a younger brother, Robert Lee Powell, whom he adored, his father, Leslie, mother, Annie, and Blues singer, Milton Campbell (Little Milton Campbell), and Father-in-law, Harry Brandt. He is survived by his wife, Gail Powell (nee Brandt), his 100-year-old Mother-in-law, Cleo Brandt (of Applegate lineage) , and Gail’s three sisters Lexie Lee Widick, Canby OR, Karelyn Beth and husband Tom Wilson, Salem, OR, and Karen and Gary Duggins, Steilacoom, WA, his daughter, Lori Powell, sister Alcenia Powell, and sister-in-law, Lula Bell Powell, all of Greenville, MS, sisters, Lesterine (Pat) Campbell and Cheré and brother-in-law, Francisco Perez del Rivero, brother Billy (Poolark) and sister-in-law, Betty Powell, all of Las Vegas, along with a host of nieces, nephews, and cousins spread far and wide.

In accordance with his wishes, there will be no services. His ashes will be interred at Fort Logan National Cemetery in Denver following cremation by the Neptune Society. A celebration of life is being planned and will be announced at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, the family of Leslie J. Powell requests donations be made to the Cancer Center at Parker Adventist Hospital. Please make memorial gifts payable to the Parker Hospital Foundation. Please indicate “In memory of Leslie J. Powell” on your gift. You may mail your gift to Parker Hospital Foundation, 9395 Crown Crest Blvd, Parker, CO 80138 or donate online at www.RMAHF.ORG/parker .