John W. Powell

John (Jack) William Powell (93) was called home to his Heavenly Father, January 14, 2013. He had heart problems and had been residing at the Uintah Care Center in Vernal because of symptoms from a hip fracture. Jack was born March 29, 1919 in Vernal, Utah to Ruth Olive Gray and John Powell. He grew up on his fathers cattle ranch in Ashley. The ranch is part of a nineteenth century homestead belonging to Jacks grandfather, William Swinford Powell, a Vernal pioneer. He was the first of eight children. He went to Ashley Elementary and eventually graduated from Uintah High School in 1937. In the fall of that year, he entered Utah State, which was an agricultural college at the time. Things began to change in Jacks life in 1939, when many vernal young men were signing up for the National Guard. Jack did the same and ended up in San Luis Obisbo, California. Before he left, however, he married his sweetheart, vernal resident, Crystal Martinsen. After Pearl Harbor was attacked, Jack was sent up north to work on the Al Can highway. His hard work skills earned him a place at officers school in Virginia. As a commissioned officer, Jack served in the D-Day operation on Omaha Beach in World War II. After the war, Jack worked with his father on the Powell ranch. Later, he worked at Uintah Packing Company. In 1952, due to their daughters health problems, they moved to Salt Lake City. Their daughter Yvonne died in 1956 of liver failure. Soon after, Jack was hired by Hi-Land Dairy. In 1959, he and Crystal moved their family to Durango, Colorado where Jack managed a retailing dairy (owned by Hi-Land). Their four children grew up and graduated in Durango. Upon retirement, Jack and Crystal moved to Arizona. They moved from there to Colorado where they built a cabin but only lived there a few years before returning to their home-town of Vernal, Utah in 1992. Jack and Crystal went deer hunting together for many years. They loved camping, fishing, and just being in the mountains, telling stories around the campfire and making memories. In 2005, Jack lost his beloved companion, Crystal, to cancer. He was lonesome for several years until he was married Melba Atwood Pierce, at the age of 89, in 2008. They enjoyed over four years of companionship together. Jack loved his membership in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and served in many capacities, including years in three bishoprics in Durango. He loved serving others and was often found lending a helping hand to his neighbors. He was social and it was not uncommon to find him striking up a conversation with a total stranger. He had a way of making those around him feel good about themselves. Jack was known for his kind heart, cheerfulness, and optimism. He loved his country and never passed a flag without saluting it. Jack is preceded in death by his parents, John and Ruth Powell, his daughter, Yvonne Powell, his wife, Crystal Martinsen Powell, his sisters, Dorothy (Bob) Pearson and Alice (Bill) Lewis and his brother, Keith (Thelma) Powell. Jack is survived by his wife, Melba, his son, Roger (Sunny), his son, Michael (Judy), and his daughter, Christine (Stan) Hinckley. He was a hero to his siblings, an example to his grandchildren, and a loving husband to his wives. Funeral Services will be Saturday, January 19, 2013 at 1 pm in the Vernal 5th & 9th Ward LDS Chapel (250 North 200 West). Friends and family may call Friday evening from 6-8 pm at Blackburn Vernal Mortuary and at the Chapel one hour prior to services. Burial will be in the Vernal Memorial Park with military honors provided by American Legion post 11 & 124, and National Guard, Services are entrusted to the care of Blackburn Vernal Mortuary.