Richard L Powell

Rick was born in Tooele, Utah and raised in Bountiful, Utah. Rick arrived in the world on January 11, 1953 to CW4 Theo Lawrence Powell and Barbara Powell. Rick was active in sports and excelled in tennis and was an AAU swimmer for the University of Utah.

Before joining the Army, Rick attended West Point for two years, but continued his degree and graduated from the University of Utah with a degree in English Literature. He went on to complete a Master's Degree in Logistics Management from the Florida Institute of Technology. He enter the military as a 2nd Lt. Quartermaster officer and remained in the Army for 20 years. His favorite job was when he served as a member for the Operation Provide Comfort to the Kurdish people after the first Iraq war. He often discussed how humbling the experience was because he hadn't experienced that level of suffering. After retiring from the Army, Richard met and married his wife, Jackie Powell and went on to work for Camber Corp for 11 years. He finished his career as the Fort Hood Historian at III Corp until age 61. Then retirement was a whirlwind of golf, traveling, football, baseball, movies, reading (his favorite sport) and his beloved hockey. Rick enjoyed visiting in California and appreciated the ocean as much as Jackie did.

Rick is a success story. In 1996, Rick became very ill and was in Seton Hospital for 71 days awaiting a heart transplant. Jackie could not thank the staff enough for their support and devotion for the 22.5 years he survived. Rick was given a range of 7-10 years for survival and this was goal was surpassed with gratitude. Rick was their longest survivor and first transplant patient on Christmas, December 25, 1997. His attitude was the reason for his longevity.

Rick volunteered at the Salado Public Library. He was also an active member of the Central Texas Chapter of the West Point Society, the 13th COSCOM Association, the Fort Hood museums, President of the Homeowner's Association in his neighborhood in Round Rock and the past president of the Cen-Texas Humane Society for Animals in Killeen, Texas.

Rick is preceded in death by both of his parents.

Rick is survived by his wife, Jackie Powell, children, Alyssa Powell, Colin Powell, Whitney Woodell and husband, James and Rachael Bruni. He also leaves behind his grandchildren from Whitney Woodell; Rylie Wood, Damien Perez, Kace and Asher Shipley. He will be missed by many friends and family.

Services for Rick have been postponed at this time due to Covid-19. At a set time in the future, services will be held at Crawford Bowers Funeral Home in Copperas Cove, Texas.