The Life of GERALD LEE POWELL
Gerald L. Powell, 80, of Des Moines, passed away peacefully at home on Saturday, October 1. The family will greet visitors starting at 10 a.m., Saturday, October 8, 2016, at Grace Church, 4200 East 25th Street, Des Moines with services beginning at 11:00 a.m. Burial will take place at Highland Memory Gardens Cemetery following the service.
Jerry was born March 28, 1936 in Des Moines to Cecil and Kate Powell. He grew up with his siblings Barbara, Shirley, James and Harold and learned the importance of faith and a hard day’s work from a young age.
After graduating from East High School in 1955 he served in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve. Shortly after leaving the marines Jerry was drafted by the U.S. Army and spent 14 months proudly serving his country in Korea. Upon his return he happily married his sweetheart, Carol (Nelson) with whom he celebrated 57 years together.
Jerry was employed for a number of years at Iowa Power and Light before joining the Des Moines Fire Department in 1965 where he served for 25 years. He loved all of those he worked alongside and considered them his second family. Throughout all of those years he also worked in the flooring business.
Jerry taught his four children about sacrifice by the way he lived his life. There were many times when he went without so they didn’t have to, but he never let on that there was ever a hardship. He was best at making others laugh, often times at his own expense and he was a gifted storyteller. He was most proud of his grandchildren and loved to talk about them to anyone who would listen.
Left behind to share his memory are his wife, Carol; his children, Tim and Todd of Des Moines, Tammy (Greg) of La Motte and Troy (Kim) of Bondurant; seven grandchildren, Garrett, Wyatt, Max, Jake, Caroline, Dylan and Dalton; one sister, Barbara (Tom) of Ohio; and numerous nephews, nieces and cousins.
The family wishes to express sincere gratitude to Dallas Sanders, PA, Dr. Brian Freeman, Angie and the entire staff at Mercy Medical Oncology and Hematology Associates, all of the wonderful staff at the Mercy Infusion Center and Karol and the HCI Hospice Care staff. Your kindness and compassion have forever touched us.
Jerry was born March 28, 1936 in Des Moines to Cecil and Kate Powell. He grew up with his siblings Barbara, Shirley, James and Harold and learned the importance of faith and a hard day’s work from a young age.
After graduating from East High School in 1955 he served in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve. Shortly after leaving the marines Jerry was drafted by the U.S. Army and spent 14 months proudly serving his country in Korea. Upon his return he happily married his sweetheart, Carol (Nelson) with whom he celebrated 57 years together.
Jerry was employed for a number of years at Iowa Power and Light before joining the Des Moines Fire Department in 1965 where he served for 25 years. He loved all of those he worked alongside and considered them his second family. Throughout all of those years he also worked in the flooring business.
Jerry taught his four children about sacrifice by the way he lived his life. There were many times when he went without so they didn’t have to, but he never let on that there was ever a hardship. He was best at making others laugh, often times at his own expense and he was a gifted storyteller. He was most proud of his grandchildren and loved to talk about them to anyone who would listen.
Left behind to share his memory are his wife, Carol; his children, Tim and Todd of Des Moines, Tammy (Greg) of La Motte and Troy (Kim) of Bondurant; seven grandchildren, Garrett, Wyatt, Max, Jake, Caroline, Dylan and Dalton; one sister, Barbara (Tom) of Ohio; and numerous nephews, nieces and cousins.
The family wishes to express sincere gratitude to Dallas Sanders, PA, Dr. Brian Freeman, Angie and the entire staff at Mercy Medical Oncology and Hematology Associates, all of the wonderful staff at the Mercy Infusion Center and Karol and the HCI Hospice Care staff. Your kindness and compassion have forever touched us.
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Military Service
War:
Korea
Branch:
Army
Rank:
Unknown