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Roll Call Tribute

John Powell '80 February 21, 2018 1:01 PM updated: February 21, 2018 1:04 PM

From tributes.com

Weed-Corley-Fish Funeral Home North
3125 N Lamar Blvd.
Austin, TX 78705
info@wcfish.com
Tel. (512) 452-8811

John Finas Powell
Born: November 22, 1954
Died: February 19, 2018
Location: Waco, Texas

John Finas Powell of Waco, Texas, passed away on February 19, 2018, at the age of 63. John was born on November 22, 1954, in Austin, Texas, where he spent his boyhood and graduated from A.N. McCallum High School. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in mathematics from Baylor University and a Master of Science degree in statistics from Texas A & M University. He also earned a teaching certificate from Houston Baptist University. John was a Fellow of the American Academy of Actuaries, having passed all of the difficult and challenging examinations required for that prestigious credential. He went on to have a long and distinguished career as an investment actuary, working primarily for Unum Provident in Chattanooga, Tennessee, and later as a consultant for Aegon.

From a young age, John developed and maintained a passionate interest in the sport of baseball. He was an outstanding Little League and Pony League player in the Northwest Austin area. Until he died, he was a rabid Houston Astros fan but had a later enthusiasm for the Atlanta Braves. For many years, he was a season ticket holder of the Chattanooga Lookouts minor league organization. As a boy and as a young adult, he attended many games in the "Eighth Wonder of the World," the Houston Astrodome. John was an avid baseball card collector and a card-carrying member of the Society for American Baseball Research, attending several national conferences of that organization. He also collected an assortment of baseball posters and memorabilia. John was absolutely thrilled that he had lived to see the Astros win the World Series!

John's other passions included books, movies, music, and above all else, his daughter and son, Hannah and Grant. He especially loved mystery novels and collected many first editions by some of the most famous authors of that literary genre. He adored the novels of Larry McMurtry, having traveled to Archer City, Texas, once to catch a personal glimpse of that renowned writer. His favorite western movie of all was certainly Lonesome Dove, from which he often delighted in quoting. Willie Nelson was John's favorite musical artist, although he was able to attend many outstanding concerts that featured other popular singers and instrumentalists. His enjoyment of music and his love for baseball were gifts he shared with both of his children as they matured into adults. As with his friends and other family members, John took great pleasure in teasing them and in offering them funny stories or witty remarks whenever possible.

John was preceded in death by his mother, Hazel Handley Powell, and his father, Dr. Harry C. Powell, Jr. He is survived by his brother, Harry C. (Buddy) Powell, III, and wife Louise of Waco, Texas; by his sister Judy Powell Shannon and husband Patrick of McKinney, Texas; by daughter, Hannah Elizabeth Powell of Bedford, Texas; by son Grant Finas Powell and wife Nancy of Dallas, Texas; by nephews Andy Powell, James Powell, Joshua Shannon, and Noah Shannon; by niece Carrie Powell; and by a host of other relatives and friends who will miss him greatly. On John's behalf, the family wishes to thank all of wonderful medical professionals who have cared for him in recent weeks and months, including the compassionate and patient nurses and aides of St. Catherine's Center in Waco, the great staff of Providence Hospital and Providence Hospice, and the wonderful doctors in the Providence Health System, especially Dr. Maydee Rosario and Dr. Samuel Ralston.

A family visitation will take place from 6:00 to 8:00 this Friday evening in Austin at the Weed-Corley-Fish funeral home on North Lamar. A graveside celebration of John's life is scheduled for 2:00 pm on Saturday at the Austin Memorial Park. Pallbearers will be Grant Powell, Richard Dugger, Andy Powell, James Powell, Pat Shannon, and Josh Shannon. Donations may be made either to the Powell Family Nursing Scholarship at McLennan Community College through the MCC Foundation or to the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation. As John quoted Gus McCrae on his deathbed, "It's been quite a party."


Services

Visitation

Friday, February 23
6:00 PM to 8:00 PM
Weed-Corley-Fish North
3125 N. Lamar
Austin, TX
(512) 452-8811


Graveside Service

Saturday, February 24
2:00 PM
Austin Memorial Park
2800 Hancock Dr.
Austin, TX
(512) 453-2320


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