3 May 1923 – 11 July 2020
George Robert Powell was called to heaven on Saturday, July 11, 2020, with his wife Mary, daughter Lori, and son Jay by his side. He was born in Junction City, Ohio, and served his country in both WWII and the Korean wars. During that time, he served in numerous rolls, including aircraft mechanic, B-17 pilot, maintenance officer, C-119 transport pilot, electronics officer, instructor, B-47 pilot, Command Pilot and VIP pilot. He enlisted in the army in 1943, later assigned to the Army Air Corps, and advanced thru the ranks of the USAF before retiring at the rank of Major in 1963. He married his childhood friend and sweetheart Mary on December 19, 1948 at the First Christian Church of Zanesville, Ohio. After military service, he started a home construction business with his brother-in-law in Zanesville before moving to Florida in 1965. Starting a second construction business after the move, he built numerous single family homes and commercial buildings in and around the Winter Park area, before retiring to the Titusville area. He and his wife Mary enjoyed traveling in their retirement, and traveled in their RV during the summers to all the lower 48 states, Alaska, as well as several trips into Canada.
He was a 32nd Degree Scottish Rite Mason and Perpetual Member of the Scottish Rite, Valley of Orlando, Lifetime member of the Consistory. Lifetime member of the Albert Pike Masonic Lodge of The Most Worshipful Grand Lodge A.F. & A.M. of Kansas in Wichita.
George is preceded in death by his parents George Francis and Carrie Lee Powell, his brother Harley Ray, and his sisters Joy Brown, Dorothy Dilley, and Virginia Kuhn. He is survived by his loving wife of 71 ½ years Mary (neé Lemert), his son and daughter-in-law Jay and Joyce Powell of Tyngsboro, MA, and his daughter and son-in-law Lori and Luis Ramos of Homestead FL. In addition, grandchildren which brought joy to his and Mary’s life are Sean L. Ramos, George H. Powell, Edith A. Ramos, and Jennifer J. Powell, along with nieces and nephews too numerous to list.
Services will be held at Canaveral National Cemetery at a time when loving family and friends can again meet, be close, and hug, as George was so fond to do.