Morgan Powell

MONTICELLO - Dr. Morgan Cole Powell, 88, passed away peacefully on Sept. 30, 2024, surrounded by family.

He was born Feb. 27, 1936, to his parents, Muriel (Freehill) and John Roger Powell.  

Morgan grew up in Champaign alongside his brother, Roger, and sister, Julann. He attended Holy Cross, Champaign High School and the University of Illinois. He was an accomplished student and athlete, playing as a first baseman for his beloved Illini before attending medical school in Chicago and obtaining his doctorate in orthodontics. Morgan also served as a commander in the U.S. Navy Reserves and a dentist to the Marines. 

Morgan began his career in the northeast, living in NYC and parts of New England. He later returned to his roots and established himself in Champaign where he raised his four children and dedicated himself to serving the Champaign-Urbana and Monticello communities as an orthodontist, volunteer and community leader.

Morgan served as a commissioner and president of both the Champaign and Illinois Association of Park Districts. He believed that every resident should have a park nearby where neighbors and kids could play and connect with the world around them. Powell Park in west Champaign is named in his honor for his three decades of volunteerism and leadership. He also served on several local business boards, serving the longest with the First Federal Savings and Loan, and was always an active Illinois alum. 

Morgan was known for being generous, thoughtful and kind. He never passed up an opportunity to give to or help others, whether it be calling in a favor for a friend or giving a child free braces. Morgan listened and cared. He found himself in unique situations because he took a genuine interest in those around him. He credited himself as fortunate, always being in the right place at the right time. His life stories, aka "Dad stories", are riddled with chance celebrity encounters, like coffee with Jackie Robinson, to chance opportunities, like performing dental work on a lion. His stories were fantastical and always humbly told as if he was telling you about any ordinary day. 

A beloved father, grandfather, spouse, brother, uncle, friend and servant, Morgan will be missed by many. 

Morgan is preceded in death by his spouse, Terri (Gaylor) Powell; his former spouse, Sandra (Burch) Powell, with whom he shares four children and eight grandchildren; his son, Thomas Powell; and his brother, J. Roger Powell.

He is survived by his children and their spouses, Sharla (Powell) and Scott Stevenson, Margo (Powell) and Glenn Thomas, and Daniel and Tracy Powell; his eight grandchildren, Cole, Luke, and Lydia Stevenson, Haley (Thomas) and Coby McNeal, Reed and Jackson Thomas, and Aveleen and Brady Powell; and his sister and her spouse, Julann (Powell) and John Boatner. 

A memorial service, followed by a visitation, will be held on Saturday, Nov. 9, from noon to 2 p.m. at the CUSR Center at 2212 Sangamon Drive, Champaign. The Champaign Park District and Foundation will be honoring Morgan with a Legacy Award at this time. 

In his memory, donations may be made to a charity closest to Morgan's heart: Champaign Park District or Allerton Park & Retreat Center. Or simply, take a walk outside in a nearby park in honor of Morgan. 

Condolences may be offered at morganmemorialhome.com.