Kenneth Earl Powell, 79, of Clifton, AZ, passed away May 17, 2017. He was born August 21, 1937 in Harco, Illinois to Earl William & Zola Allen Powell.
He completed the 8th grade in Pontiac Michigan. In 1954 Kenneth joined the U.S. Army as a paratrooper in the 11th Airborne where he proudly served his country until 1957 when he was honorably discharged. While he was in the military, he married Mary Roberts in 1955 and they were blessed with two children, Zola & Rick.
In 1959 Kenneth moved his family to Arizona and after 8 years of marriage, he and Mary divorced. In 1962, he met Waynona “Nona” Shiflet in Safford and on January 25, 1963, he married his one true love, “Nona” in Las Vegas Nevada and together they had two children, Kenneth W. and Tammy.
After moving to Arizona, he worked for 8 years as a contractor, holding various positions and operating different types of equipment for many companies. While in Safford he worked at the old Texaco service station then went to work for the View More Cable Company. He was later transferred to the Morenci View More Cable Company. In 1966 Kenneth went to work for Phelps Dodge. His two most memorable positions were locomotive engineer and a shovel runner. After 17 years with Phelps Dodge he was forced to medically retire.
He built hot rods, rode motorcycles and loved to go hunting, fishing and camping. In his spare time, he was a member of the Greenlee County Search & Rescue team and was affiliated with his motorcycle club.
Kenneth is survived by the love of his life, Nona, daughter Zola M. Cunningham, sons Rick E. and Kenneth W. Powell and daughter Tammy L. Powell, siblings David Powell and Kaydawn Powell, six grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren and two great-great grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents Earl and Zola Allen Powell, in-laws Marvin and Vada Brown Shiflet, daughter-in-law Giane Powell and many Aunts and Uncles.
A Memorial service for Kenneth will be held on Friday, June 2, 2017 at 10:00 a.m. at the Caldwell Funeral Chapel with military honors by the Gila Valley Honor Guard.
Arrangements are under the direction of McDougal’s Caldwell Funeral Chapel & Gila Valley Crematory. Online condolences may be extended at www.caldwellfuneralchapel.com.
