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Roneil Powell Obituary

Roneil Laverne Powell January 3, 1971 - February 2, 2014 Ron Powell never went through an awkward stage, according to his father Clarence (Bernie) Powell. He had a natural grace that neither a pre-teen growth spurt nor his adult height of 6'5" could diminish. It's that quiet grace and his gentle presence that so many will remember about the son, the brother, the husband, the father, the friend. Roneil Laverne Powell, 43, died suddenly and unexpectedly at home in Inverness on Sunday, February 2, 2014, surrounded by his wife Alex Porrata and their children, Yolanda, 6, and Ezequiel, 4. Ron grew up in Los Angeles near the Huntington Park neighborhood, an area notorious for gang culture. Watched over by his parents Clarence and Caroyle, adoring younger sister Brandi, and a loving, multi-generational family, he rejected gangs for sports. The Lakers, Dodgers, and Bruins would become lifelong passions. He was a star basketball player at Dominican University in San Rafael where he made enduring friendships and met his future wife, Alex. After graduating in 1994 with a B.S. in business, he coached Dominican's women's basketball team between his two seasons of professional play on basketball leagues in Australia and New Zealand. He and Alex reconnected in 2004 through an online dating service (the first and only person she dated online, she said). After an auspicious introduction to his parents at Roscoe's House of Chicken & Waffles in L.A. ("Ron didn't bring too many girls around. We knew she was the one," his mother recalled), they settled in Inverness in a small house belonging to Alex's parents, Carlos and Rebecca Porrata. Even in rural West Marin, "people gravitated to him," said his wife. Their friend Whitman Shenk agreed. "There's nobody you'd rather see walk through your front door than Ron." Ron will be remembered as someone who was great fun, who loved music, who lit up the world with his engaging smile. Ron was cool. Perhaps most importantly, though, he was a dedicated husband and father. In January, son Ezequiel had been hospitalized in Oakland with Embryonal Rhabdomysarcoma, a rare form of childhood cancer. The family brought Zekie home just two evenings before Ron's death. That night, he helped arrange a comfortable spot for his little boy to rest. Then he gently tamed his daughter's hair into a topknot before accompanying her to Alphabet Soup Night/Fideo de Letras, a family literacy workshop and social at her dual-immersion primary school in Petaluma. Mike Cobb, Director of Engineering at DriveSavers in Novato where Ron worked as a data recovery engineer, had high praise for him. "DriveSavers reunites people with their lost data from hard drives. In the past few years that has mainly been lost photos and memories. Now we will just have our pictures and memories of Ron." A memorial for Ron Powell was held Saturday, February 8, at the Dance Palace in Point Reyes Station from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM. Tax-exempt donations benefiting the Powell-Porrata family can be made at ezpowell.org, or at any Wells Fargo branch. Reference the Roneil Powell Memorial Fund, and note "gift donation" on your transaction. The federal taxpayer i.d.# for the memorial fund is: 46-4722983. (Photo by Paige Green)

Published by Marin Independent Journal from Feb. 7 to Feb. 9, 2014.
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Not physically on this earth any longer, but your energy and spirit surrounds us all. So much love on this anniversary of your passing to Alex and the kids ❤

The Lee Family

Friend

February 1, 2021

An amazing father and great person with so much presence, it's just shocking, you're gone far too soon. May your light and spirit shine on through the two beautiful children you've graced the world with.
So much love and prayers to Alex, Yolanda, Eziquiel and your family in this time.

Christine, Chris, Aiden & Mackenzie Lee

February 12, 2014

Will always remember your love of life,basketball and patience! Wish I could have come I help celebrate your life this past weekend!
God bless your family

Brigid Miralda

February 10, 2014

Sorry for everyone's loss

Kerry Kerr

February 9, 2014

Ron you always lit up the room, your smile,grace, charm,wit and radiant love will remain with us. I thank God for loaning us you!

Mike Quinlan

February 9, 2014

My heart weighs heavy today.

Ron was an incredibly unique man with gravitational qualities.

I met Ron at Drive Savers. We were both temporary employees working in the "processing department". He started a week or so before I did. He and I made fast friends, not unlike so many others.

But it wasn't until years later when he and Alex stopped in Rickey's (where I was bartending) for a beverage that our friendship was truly forged.

Over the next several years we became close. Fantasy football, my giving him grief for being a Lakers fan and he laughing at me for being a Nuggets fan ( or a "No Guts" fan as he called it) and playing 1v1 at Davidson Middle School at midnight will be just a few of my fondest memories of Ron.

He was loved in life and will be loved equally after his passing.

My sincerest thoughts and sympathies are with his family at this time.

Daniel Peck

February 8, 2014

In our hearts always.

marisa Urteaga-Watkins

February 8, 2014

Thoughts and prayers to the Powell family.

He sounds like a remarkable man.

February 8, 2014

I know there are no words to express how sorry I am for your loss nor words to endure the pain any better. Know that despite the distance I am just a thought, text, call away. Life is so very unfair at times and it is these times that challenge us the most although they only make us stronger in the end.
Cherish all of the wonderful memories and continue to move forward with those and your beautiful family. Ron was a wonderful person who touched many people throughout ... My heart aches for you and your children and only wish I could do more. My thoughts and prayers will always be with you. Be strong hugs always.

Lara Covey

February 8, 2014

In Loving Memory of A Good Man, Son, Husband, Father & Friend. Forever In Our Hearts

Linda Sturdivant

February 8, 2014

Linda Sturdivant

February 8, 2014

As many people said to me, *You are so blessed to have had *That Special Love* because some people never will. You & the family are so in My prayers

Linda Sturdivant

February 8, 2014

Holding your family in my heart
and sending them love.

Anneke

February 8, 2014

Alex
My family and I send our deepest sympathy to you and your loved ones.
Ron will be missed dearly but not forgotten. He was kind, warm hearted and a pleasure to be around.

Russ Lincoln

February 7, 2014

Ron, you were a great guy. This happened way too soon. It was a pleasure knowing you and having worked with you.

Billy

February 7, 2014

Colleen Conley

February 7, 2014

Ron was a good man. Alex . . . you and your children are held in the silence of our hearts and prayers.

Diane Glas (Sean's mom)

February 7, 2014

A true gentle giant of father, friend and husband. Your smile and warm heart will be very missed.

Jess Taylor

February 7, 2014

Oh Alex, there are no words. This feeble attempt sends love and light to you and your family. I am so very sad to hear of your loss.

Belle

February 7, 2014

A good man gone to soon

Steven H

February 7, 2014

Dearest Alex,
Only a handful of moments have passed over the past few weeks without you heavily on my mind and in my heart. Such a beautiful family you and your husband have created. I am so deeply sorry for your loss. May you see Ron in your children, feel his spirit and support around you always, and be surrounded by the love of your family through this difficult time.
With love, Laura

Laura Giacomini

February 7, 2014

You are so very missed. All my love to the Powell and Porrata families.

Stella Davise

February 7, 2014

I didn't know you personally, but you coached my daughter at Dominican. My prayers go out to your family at this very tragic time.

Mary Manning

February 7, 2014

Dearest Alex: I'm an acquaintance of your Mom, Rebecca and heard of you through the many conversations we had when we worked together. Your husband from everything I've read was a terrific and wonderful human being and you were very lucky to have had him in your life. Que via con Dios. He'll be watching over all of you and with prayer hopefully Eziquiel will survive.

Maria Rodriguez

February 7, 2014

Taken much too soon - you will be remembered for your amazing soul.

Rachel Matheson

February 7, 2014

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