Powell McHenry

Powell McHenry

Western Hills - Powell McHenry, beloved husband of the late Venna Guerrea McHenry, loving father of Marshall (Joyce) McHenry MD, Jody (John) Grebenc, Gale (John) McLaughlin and the late Scott McHenry, cherished grandfather of Lauren (Jeff) Greenwood, Barbara (Westfield) Brown, Joseph McHenry, Zachary McHenry MD, Colleen McHenry, Mary (Ryan) Barnes, John (Kim) Grebenc, Bob Grebenc, Christine, Tricia and Scott McLaughlin, great-grandfather of 4, son of the late Dr. Lowry Lee McHenry and Marguerite Powell McHenry Heinz, brother of the late Lee McHenry MD and Margery Frazier, uncle of many, "Super Significant Other" of Katie Miller. Attorney, retired from Dinsmore & Shohl.

Powell ("Mac") loved all things Cincinnati, Western Hills and Ohio. To Powell, there was no better place to live, work and raise a family. He had great love for his country. An attorney for over 60 years, Powell loved his work at Dinsmore, Procter & Gamble and Federated Department Stores. He had the utmost respect for all who worked hard. He believed that hard work and education were the keys to the American dream, and delighted in helping others achieve it. He thrived on competition, loved football, was fiercely loyal, honest and direct (sometimes to a fault)! Those who were raised and influenced by him will always appreciate his consistent example of treating all people with respect and dignity.

Powell attended Cheviot School and Western Hills High School. While at West High, he played football, was on the swim team, and joined Chi Omega Sigma fraternity. His proudest moment was beating Elder while playing center for the Maroon on the gridiron. Most importantly, while in 9th grade, he met the love of his life, Venna Mae Guerrea.

After graduating from West High in 1944, Powell enrolled at Miami University, and looked forward to playing football there. But WWII was still raging, and the U.S. Navy had other ideas. After serving in the Navy as an Electronic Technician's Mate, he returned to Cincinnati. He then enrolled at UC, joined Beta Theta Pi fraternity, and graduated Phi Beta Kappa in 1948. Following graduation, he and Venna were married and moved to Cambridge, Massachusetts where Powell attended Harvard Law School. There he was elected Editor of the Harvard Law Review, and graduated Magna Cum Laude.

In 1951, Powell began his career with Dinsmore, Shohl, Sawyer & Dinsmore (now Dinsmore & Shohl). He focused on business litigation, representing clients such as P & G, Federated Department Stores (now Macy's Inc), General Motors and Westinghouse. While still at Dinsmore, Powell managed to serve as P & G's chief outside lawyer while concurrently practicing as General Counsel to Federated. In 1975, he left private practice for P & G, where he was ultimately promoted to Senior Vice President and General Counsel. After retiring from P & G in 1991, he returned to Dinsmore as Of Counsel.

While pursuing his career, Powell served in many local and national leadership roles: Cincinnati Bar Association (President); Association of General Counsel (President); Republican Club of Hamilton County (Director); Harvard Law School Association of Cincinnati (President); Western Hills Country Club (Treasurer, Secretary, Board of Directors); the American Law Institute (member), and; over two decades on the Hamilton County Public Defender Commission. An avid fan and supporter of the Western Hills Mustangs, Powell was proud to have co-chaired the development of a permanent home playing field for West High. He, also, co-chaired the Corporate Committee for the Fair Compensation of the Federal Judiciary, which was successful in substantially increasing the salaries of federal judges.

After retirement, Powell continued to lend his experience to the Cincinnati community as well as local business interests: Hamilton County Public Defender Commission (Chairman); Hamilton County Financing Review & Strategies Commission (Chairman); Jail Subcommittee of the Hamilton County Criminal Justice Taskforce (member); Alcohol and Drug Addiction Services Board (board member); Eagle Picher Industries (Board of Directors), and; Commonwealth Club of Cincinnati (President). In recognition of his accomplishments and dedication to the legal profession, Powell received the Cincinnati Bar Foundation's 2004 Lifetime Achievement in Law Award.

After 2000, Powell began spending more time at his home in Naples, Florida. There, he volunteered as a reading tutor for elementary students. He had the utmost respect for the families of the children - they were working so hard to provide a good life for their kids.

Throughout his life, Powell religiously contributed to: the United Way; the Freestore Foodbank; the Southwest Conservancy (Florida); Westwood United Methodist Church; North Naples Community Church; the Cincinnati Art Museum, and; a host of Republican causes and candidates.

Powell died in Cincinnati on Tuesday, November 12, 2019, at age 93. His family expresses special thanks to the caring staff at The Kenwood. Visitation at Westwood United Methodist Church, Saturday, November 23, 9:30 AM until the funeral service at 11:00 AM Burial to follow at Spring Grove Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the Freestore Foodbank, 1141 Central Pkwy, Cincinnati (45202). Arrangements entrusted to Rebold, Rosenacker & Sexton Funeral Home. Condolences may be shared online at rebold.com