Dean Duane Powell, 89, of Frontenac, passed away at 6:24 p.m. Monday, June 24, 2024 at Via Christi Hospital.
He was born October 13, 1934 in Monett, Missouri to William Lafayette and Alta Lenora (Shepherd) Powell. He graduated from Monett High School before attending and graduating from Pittsburg State University with a Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees in Graphic Arts/Printing. He put himself through college working at Pitt Craft. Dean was one of the first individuals to complete the ROTC program at Pittsburg State University. He was the Commanding officer of the 1010th Army Reserve Service and Supply for five years.
On June 12, 1954, he was united in marriage to Susan Beecham at the Baptist Church in Lawton, Kansas.
Dean served in the U.S. Army from February 1954 until February 1957 where he was honorably discharged as Lt. Colonel. He was also a Special Recruiter at West Point Military Academy for five years.
He began his teaching career in August 1964 to May 1967 at the SEK Area Vo-Tech School in Columbus. He then became a professor at Pittsburg State University, where he taught in the Graphic Arts/Printing Department for over 30 years before retiring.
Membership was held in the First Church of the Nazarene, where he was very active in the Men's Prayer Breakfast and serving in the church; Boy Scout Leader; Taught Hunter Safety courses; Dean also started a Multi-Denominational Prayer Breakfast group that met every Friday morning for over 40 years; Program Conference Chairman for the Mid-America Newspaper Association for 35 years; and a member of Military Officers Association of America.
In addition to his wife, Susan, Dean is survived by four children, Gary Powell (Janina) of Webster Groves, Missouri, Tena Jackson (Roy) of Madras, Oregan, Shelly Hildebrandt (Curt) of Pittsburg, Kansas, and Kevin Powell (Shelia) of Columbus, Kansas; nine grandchildren, Angelique Price, Kelly Murray, Haley Jackson, Hank Hildebrandt, Jake Hildebrant, Christine Case, Justin Powell, Cody Powell, and Andrew Greenwood; and twenty great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents, a sister, Billie Jean Tallent, and a grandson, Christopher Powell.
Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Friday (June 28) at the First Church of the Nazarene/Pitt Naz with Pastor Kyle Rogers and Pastor Jim Sukraw co-officiating. Burial will follow in the National Cemetery at Fort Scott at 12:30 p.m. where graveside military rites will be provided. A visitation will be held from 6:00 p.m. until 7:30 p.m. Thursday (June 27) at Brenner Mortuary. The family suggests memorials be given to the PittNaz Church Building Fund. These may be left in care of Brenner Mortuary. The funeral will also be live-streamed on Dean's obituary page for friends and family to view. Friends may leave condolences online at www.brennermortuary.com.
Arrangements are under the direction of the Brenner Mortuary, Pittsburg, KS.
