Powell

July 2, 1936, July 11, 2024

Retired U.S. Air Force Col. Powell, 88 of Boerne, passed away peacefully on Thursday, July 11, 2024, following a sudden, brief illness and with his loving family by his side.

Dave was born July 2, 1936, in Watertown, New York, to the late Harold S. Powell and the late Carmen A. (Lingenfelter) Powell.

Growing up, he enjoyed boating and fishing on nearby Lake Ontario and graduated from Watertown High School, where he was active in marching band, dance band, rifle club and many other activities.

He began his Air Force career as an aviation cadet in 1956 at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas, completed navigation training at Harlingen AFB, Texas, and was commissioned a second lieutenant in 1958.

That same year, Dave married his high school sweetheart, Gail M. Greene, to whom he was happily married for 66 years. He loved his Lord, his family and his country, serving 28 years in the Air Force.

Dave’s rewarding military career included assignments at Westover AFB, Massachusetts; McClellan AFB, California; Chanute AFB, Illinois; Davis-Monthan AFB, Arizona, Taegu Air Base, South Korea; Altus AFB, Oklahoma; Seymour- Johnson AFB, North Carolina; McConnell AFB, Kansas; and Kelly AFB, Texas where he retired in 1984.

Serving as a navigator, he flew many different aircraft, including KC-97s, EC-121s, KC-135s and C-123s in Vietnam. Dave also pursued his education early in his career, earning a bachelor’s degree from the University of Nebraska in Omaha and a master’s degree from Webster College, St. Louis, Missouri.

Throughout his service, Dave held various leadership positions in aircraft maintenance and air logistics operations, including squadron commander, deputy commander and division chief.

Upon his retirement, he was awarded the Legion of Merit. Other decorations included the Air Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal, and the Joint Service Commendation Medal.

Dave and Gail were blessed with four children. As a family, they traveled the country and the world, creating fond memories of many camping trips and other adventures, including annual summer vacations in Northern New York to visit family and friends and to enjoy Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence River.

A music lover, Dave was a wonderful singer, played drums and the ukelele, and was known to light up many a dance floor. He also loved playing games of all kinds, especially card games such as cribbage, canasta and bridge. Over the course of his life, he was an avid outdoorsman, golfing, hunting, boating, and fishing, which he and his entire family often enjoyed doing together.

A faithful servant of the Lord, Dave was a lifelong member of the Episcopal Church and for the past 38 years, a parishioner at St. Helena’s Episcopal Church in Boerne, where he served on the vestry in numerous roles.

In retirement, Dave was active in the Kendall County American Cancer Society, serving as president for several years, and enjoyed activities (especially bridge) at the Kronkosky Place senior center.

For the past eight years, he resided happily with Gail at Morningside Ministries at Menger Springs, founding the bocce ball club, leading the men’s bridge group, holding several leadership positions with the Menger Springs Resident Association and enjoying life. He will be sorely missed by his family, friends and community.

Dave was preceded in death by his parents and a sister, Dawn Powell Hines. He is survived by his beloved wife, Gail; one brother, Mark (Sandi) of Boerne; two sons, Daniel of Boerne; and Stephen (Risa) of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; two daughters, Amy (Bruce) of Tampa, Florida; and Elizabeth (Darrin) of Boerne; five grandchildren, Tyler Powell of Oklahoma City, Hannah Schleyer (Taylor) of Boerne; Sarah and Jacob Powell of San Antonio, Texas; and Charles Yost of Tampa; and two great-granddaughters Adalyn and Ella Schleyer; as well as many nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Aug. 5, 2024, at St. Helena’s Episcopal Church in Boerne, with a reception to follow in the church parish hall.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Dave’s honor to St. Helena’s Episcopal Church of Boerne, The Covenant Fund of Morningside at Menger Springs, The Center at Kronkosky Place or the charity of your choice.

Arrangements are under the care and direction of the staff of Holt & Holt Funeral Home of Boerne. To share words of comfort with the family, please visit www. holtfh.com.