Jack Charles Powell

SMSgt Jack Charles Powell

(Age 73)

It is with great sorrow that we announce that our beloved husband, father, grandfather/Papa and friend, Jack Powell, passed away unexpectedly on Friday, July 20, 2018, at Sacred Heart Hospital probably due to complications from his recent open-heart surgery.

Jack was born on May 24, 1945, in San Rafael, CA. to parents LaVon Olsen and Cecil Dolan.  When his parents divorced, Jack’s mother moved with him to Spokane in 1948.  Later, his mother remarried to Neil Powell and Jack was adopted by Neil.

Jack attended both St. Patrick’s and Regal grade schools and Shaw Junior High.  He graduated from John R. Rogers High School in 1963. Jack attended Spokane Community College from 1963 to 1966 where he earned an AA degree in business. Later, in 1999, he graduated from Concordia University, Irvine, CA, with a BBS in Logistics.

In January 1966, Jack enlisted in the United States Air Force because he had a strong desire to serve and protect his country. He joined the Washington Air National Guard in 1969 and worked as a technician until his Civil Service retirement in May of 2000.  Jack went back on active duty in July 2000 and was stationed at Tyndall Air Force Base, Florida until his retirement in July 2004.

Jack honorably served his country for over 38 years and retired as a Senior Master Sergeant (Chief Select).  Jack was deployed all over the world while in the U.S. Air Force.  Some of his major deployments were:  Desert Shield, Desert Storm, Phoenix Scorpion, Allied Force, and Operation Enduring Freedom/Nobel Eagle.

After his Military retirement, Jack worked as a consultant for General Dynamics and then ICF International from 2004 to 2009.

Jack was an avid sports fan, with his favorite being hockey.  He was a devoted Spokane Chiefs fan since about the age of 10 and a season ticket holder since about that age as well.  GO CHIEFS GO!

In September of 1968, Jack met the love of his life, Merla Smith.  They were married in January of 1969 and have had a loving marriage for over 49 years.  They were blessed with two beautiful daughters:  Michelle and Stacey.

Jack is survived by his wife, Merla;  daughters, Michelle Powell and her fiancé, Thom Christensen; her son, Tyler; and Thom’s daughter, Hailie; and Stacey Hoover, her husband, Robert, and their children, sons Jonathan and Brayden, and daughter Peyton, all of Spokane. Also survived by his brother-in-law, Verlon Hobdey of Lewiston, ID., several nieces and nephews.  His family was so important to Jack.  Predeceased by his parents and grandparents.

Funeral services will be held on Monday, August 13, 2018, at 1 pm at Hennessey Funeral Home, 2203 N. Division St., Spokane, WA. with Full Military Honors interment immediately following at the Washington State Veterans Cemetery in Medical Lake. 

Donations in Jack’s honor may be made to Wounded Warriors.

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