Anthony "Tony" Powell

Anthony "Tony" Powell, 64, of Davenport, Florida, passed away on Tuesday, January 27, 2026, at his residence, surrounded by his loving family. He was born on August 23, 1961, in Kingston, Jamaica, to Athol and Haloon Khaleel Powell. As a young toddler, Tony's curiosity and mischievous spirit were so strong that his grandmother, Alberta Khaleel, would tie him to his crib with her stockings to keep him from wandering-though he often managed to break free and continue exploring.

In December of 1967, Anthony immigrated to Brooklyn, New York, along with his sister Althea and cousin Newton. After the untimely passing of his mother, Haloon, he was lovingly raised by Cynthia Reid and his father, Athol Powell. He attended Epiphany Lutheran Elementary School through the eighth grade and later Samuel J. Tilden High School in Brooklyn, where he was an excellent student, enrolling in Advanced Placement Biology.

He attended Frostburg State College and later joined the United States Marine Corps, and during his early military training, he was meritoriously promoted to Private First Class at boot camp at Parris Island, marking the beginning of a distinguished leadership journey. He was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in May of 1985 as a Reserve Military Police Officer with the 290th MP Company in Baltimore, Maryland. His combat service included Operation Just Cause in Panama in 1989 and Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm in Saudi Arabia in 1990, where, as a Captain, he commanded a 130-man Enemy Prisoner of War unit. Following the events of September 11, 2001, he volunteered for deployment to Kuwait and Afghanistan as a Military Police Major, assisting in efforts against the Taliban and the search for Osama bin Laden. He later deployed to Baghdad, Iraq, serving as a Special Forces team leader attached to infantry units conducting patrols and raids of terrorist cells. As a Lieutenant Colonel, he served as Provost Marshal (Senior Military Police Officer) and culminated his career during 2013–2014 in Afghanistan as a Logistics Support and Regional Lead Officer overseeing a $9 billion civilian contract supporting troops in Southern Afghanistan. His numerous military honors included two Bronze Stars, the Army Commendation Medal, the Army Achievement Medal, and multiple campaign and service medals. Proudly serving his country for 34 years and completing 10 years of active duty, five combat tours, and serving with honor across multiple global operations retiring honorably with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel.

Anthony was also a devoted member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., Mu Epsilon Chapter, where he served as Chapter President and was actively involved in numerous community initiatives, including the establishment of a Scholarship Fund.

Anthony's love for cooking was learned from Aunt Cynthia, and he often joked that the only thing he loved more than cooking was eating and that he didn't get to 250lbs by accident. He delighted in feeding others, whether it was jerk chicken, curry chicken, seafood paella, chicken marsala, ackee and saltfish, or his beloved New York cheesecake. Aside from cooking he enjoyed baking and grilling, and spending time at the shooting range, playing pool, dancing, hosting gatherings, and bringing family together.

A true sports enthusiast, Anthony followed basketball, baseball, football, track and field, tennis, just about any sport, and cheered for many New York teams. His love for sports extended beyond fandom. He was a standout athlete in cross country and track and field, breaking school records in Cross Country City competition and the 2-mile relay. He led his team to a Cross Country City Championship in 1977, finished in the top ten citywide in 1978, and helped his 2-mile relay team earn national recognition, ranking among the top 25 teams in the nation.

A devoted father of three, Tony embraced fatherhood with love, humility, and determination, often noting there was no manual for parenting, but giving it his very best. Known for his legendary sense of humor, Tony credited it to his father, Uncle Cecil, and cousin Avril, often repeating jokes that left everyone laughing and once saying that if it weren't for his sense of humor, he'd have no sense at all. Generous and compassionate, Tony was known to help family, strangers, and even those he encountered in war zones, often giving money to anyone in need. Though exposed to many religions throughout his life, he considered himself a Christian and believed his faith was simple, Kindness (The Dhali Llama).

He was preceded in death by his parents, Athol and Haloon Powell. Anthony is survived by the loving mother of his children, Ana Eloisa Powell; his children, Sharon Martinez of Kissimmee, Florida, Keshia Martinez and Alexander Powell, both of Davenport, Florida; his sister, Althea Ashman of Brooklyn, New York; his grandchildren, Elisee and Elysia Cherelus, both of Kissimmee, Florida; his beloved niece, Althea Deneene Ashman-Parker, her husband Jason, and their daughter Addison Ashman-Parker; and many cousins who affectionately knew him as Uncle Tony. He will be truly missed by all who knew and loved him.

A visitation will be held on Saturday, February 7, 2026 at 1:00 pm followed by a funeral service at 2:00 PM all at Oak Ridge Funeral Care, Haines City, Florida.