Harry L. Powell

1924 - 2011

Harry L. Powell passed into the kingdom of his Lord Wednesday, March 30, 2011 in Yuma, Arizona. He was born to Lila Mae and Harry K. Powell on August 11, 1924.

The family moved to Yuma when Harry was only nine years old. He graduated from Yuma High School in 1942, having already begun his career with the United States Postal Service in September of 1940 as his friends remember, the exciting mail run from downtown Yuma the virtually new MCAS. When World War II began, Harry continued with postal work, but this time in the United States Navy; delivering mail in the Alutian Islands, as well as his regular duties in the Navy. As soon as World War II allowed, Harry Powell returned to Yuma and married the beautiful, 18 year old Delores M. Nelson, his high school sweetheart. After his enlistment in the United States Navy was complete, the newlyweds then returned to begin their lives together. Harry resumed his position with the U.S. Postal Service, which spanned nearly 40 years, until his retirement in 1980 serving as Postal Master General for Yuma. Harry and Delores had 2 children, 4 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren.

Harry loved his family, dogs, tennis (becoming the state champion during high school) and took great enjoyment in model airplanes throughout his life. After the Postal Service, Harry Powell became a respected businessman owning Gold Key Mobile Home Sales and H.L. Powell Storage.

Harry was preceded in death by his parents; stepmother, Dena Powell; his beloved in-laws, Oscar and Bertha Nelson and his only much-loved daughter Gail Marie LeDoux.

Harry is survived by his wife of 66 years, Delores M. Powell; son, Michael Dean Powell; granddaughters, Kimson Marie LeDoux and Jennifer Jocelyn Powell; grandsons, Michael Scott Powell, Christopher Clayton Powell; great-grandchildren, Jason Tyler LeDoux and Izabela Jolene Powell and brothers-in law, Dwight (Marie) Nelson, Lyle (Mary) Nelson and Bob (Connie) Nelson and their families.

Services will be held at Calvary Lutheran Church, 711 S. 7th Avenue beginning at 11a.m. Thursday, April 7, 2011. Visitation is from 5:00 pm. to 8:00 p.m. on Wednesday, April 6, 2011 at Johnson Mortuary. Burial will be at Desert Lawn Memorial Park after the service.