Charles Powell

Charles J Powell passed away Thursday, August 27 at his home in south Tulsa following a long illness. He was born in Vinita October 8, 1922, to Charles C and Opal (Giles) Powell. A 1940 graduate of Vinita High School, he attended Oklahoma Military Academy before joining the US Army, where he saw four years of active duty during WWII. He returned to earn a bachelors degree in business administration from Oklahoma A&M in 1947.

After graduation, he joined his father in the family business, the Vinita Motor Company, until 1967, when he moved to Tulsa and became General Secretary of the Tulsa Scottish Rite. He was instrumental in the planning, financing and construction of the Tulsa Scottish Rite Temple at 41st and Skelly Drive, and in establishing the Tulsa Scottish Rite Clinic for Childhood Disorders, a pilot project that now serves children throughout northeast Oklahoma. He retired in 1985.

An active Mason all his life, he joined the Vinita Lodge #5 in 1943 and was granted the 33rd degree in 1965.

He was a member of several Masonic-related groups, including York Rite, Red Cross of Constantine, Akdar Shrine, Service Knights and the Royal Order of the Jesters, and also had 36 years of perfect attendance in the Rotary Club. He was an elder in the Presbyterian Church and a member of Trinity Presbyterian Church in Bixby.

In 1950 he married the former Joyce McGaughey of Harrison, Ark. He is survived by his wife Joyce, three children - Dr Julie Powell Thomas of Tulsa, Dr Thomas C Powell of Oxford England, and John M Powell of Wellington Florida - seven grandchildren - Lauren Ward, Katherine Ward, Patrick Ward, Taylor Powell, Charlie Powell, Kevin Powell and Mark Powell - and one great-granddaughter, Isabel Villalobos Ward.

In lieu of flowers, friends may contribute to the Trinity Presbyterian Church Memorial Fund (Trinity Presbyterian Church, 9303 E. 111th Street South, Tulsa OK 74008) or the Tulsa Scottish Rite Clinic for Childhood Disorders (Tulsa RiteCare, PO Box 472150, Tulsa OK 74147).  To make online donations click the link below: http://www.epartnersingiving.com/charlesjpowell