On Dec. 12, 2014, Donald Mack Powell, 72, father, grandfather, brother, uncle and friend left his Middlefork home to be escorted by the angels into his new life. After many years of declining heart health, he suffers no more. He will be missed and will always live in the hearts of those who were touched by his kindness and love. We can only thank God for his many years on earth and for the blessing he was to so many.
He was born in Transylvania County Sept. 13, 1942. He attended Rosman High School where he met and married the lovely Gaynell McCall. He extended his education at Blue Ridge Tech in hydraulics and began working for Mitchell-Bissell Industries. He soon became a young father and secured a job with ASA /Tracking Station where he was an active member of the IBEW. He received several awards and made many friends during his career and often shared funny stories with them. He worked for several government contractors until he retired from the Rosman Research Station/PARI due to his declining health.
He was a loving father and enjoyed his family, fishing and hunting, classic cars, gardening, square dancing, NASCAR, college basketball, a good joke, bird watching (especially hummingbirds), Christmas, bluegrass, cookouts and a nice warm fire. He loved and cared for his neighbors and several foreign exchange students. He adored his family and a German Shepherd named Shadow.
He was a man of great integrity, patience and generosity. His acts of kindness set an example for all who knew him. It is with a heavy heart we say goodbye. Although our hearts are broken, His spirit remains a cherished part of our lives. It was my honor to provide care for him and I am forever grateful.
Fly away home father, fly away home. See you again in our forever home.
He shared his life with his only daughter, Chris Parker, husband Dennis Parker and granddaughters, Jade Parker and Teal Parker, of Rosman. His siblings include; Pick Powell (Irene) and family, of Brevard; Avarie Gillespie and family, of Virginia Beach, Va.; Betty Powell and family, of Rosman; Stewart Powell and family, of Rosman; Jimmy Powell and family, of Rosman; Jerry Powell (Bernice) and family, of Balsam Grove, Gerald Powell (Mary) and family, of Rosman and Harry Powell (Carolyn) and family, of Rosman. Special friends and family include Cheryl Raines, Lowee McCall, Peter and Sam Levesque, Hub and Kathy Powell, Sherrill Dutton, Willard and Zelda Ferguson, Mark and Jeanette Willis, Wally and Mary McCall and Gaynell Powell.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Fields and Hattie Powell, infant brother Billy Jo Powell, loving brothers, Walter Powell and Keith Powell and special friend Bill Clement.
Services will be held at East Fork Baptist Church, Tuesday, Dec. 16, 2014.
Visitation will be from 1-2 p.m. and service following at 2 p.m.
Burial will be at Haskell Powell Memorial Cemetery following the service.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Lottie Moon Christmas Fund at East Fork Baptist Church.
Moody Connolly Funeral Home and Crematory is in charge of the arrangements.