Vernon H. Powell

Vernon H. “Hank” Powell, 80, passed away on Wednesday, November 24, 2010 at Moses Cone Hospital. A memorial service will be held at 2:00 pm, Sunday, November 28, 2010 at First Baptist Church, 1000 W. Friendly Ave., Greensboro, NC, with visitation following at the church.

Hank was born in Winchester, KY on April 20, 1930 to the late Oliver and Victoria Powell. He served in the US Air Force for four years attaining the rank of Staff Sergeant. He spent part of his duty as a communications specialist in the Sahara Desert of Libya during the Korean War. After his military service, Hank graduated from the University of Kentucky with a B.S. in Electrical Engineering.

For 30 years he worked for Western Electric, later AT&T, in Government Systems and was involved in highly classified operations, often dealing with national security during the height of the Cold War. He played a key role in the Titan Missile project and oversaw the laying of undersea surveillance systems in the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. Hank spent four years in Barbados where he served as the Resident Engineer working with the US Navy. On many projects during his career he held the rank of US Navy Commander.

After he retired, he pursued his other interests, primarily spending time with his family, aviation, and traveling the world. His years in the Caribbean created a love of the islands and he returned often with his family. Hank was widely known among friends and family as an extremely generous, witty, intelligent, and loving husband, father, brother and friend. He was politically passionate and was the ultimate patriot and family patriarch. All who were blessed to know him will miss him dearly.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 40 years, Jerrie Helton Powell with whom he had three children. He was also preceded in death by his daughter Melissa McGann in 2003.

Survivors include his wife of 15 years, Ann Andrews Powell; son and daughter-in-law, David and Laura Powell of Greensboro; daughter and son-in-law, Kitty and Kevin Bryant of Atlanta, GA; son-in-law Brian McGann of Williamsburg, VA; grandchildren Ryan Powell, Nicholas Powell, John McGann, Samantha McGann, Jack Bryant, Peter Bryant and Andrew Bryant; stepchildren Suzanne and Lee Safley of Chapin, SC, Tommy and Emily Andrews of Winston-Salem; step-grandchildren Kenneth, Erika, Jana, Caleb, Alaina, Katrina, Jared and Garrett Safley; and step-great-grandchild Edwin.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Greensboro Urban Ministry, 305 West Lee Street, Greensboro, NC 27406.The family wishes to express a special thank you to the staff of Moses Cone Hospital who cared for Hank the last 6 weeks.