John Kent Powell

John Kent Powell, age 69, of Rankin passed away peacefully on Wednesday, June 16, 2010 at his home with his wife and son at his side. He had fought COPD for a number of years and on March 06, 2009 he became a Hospice patient with a life expectancy of two to six weeks. His God, his strong will and his stubbornness kept him here for an extra fourteen months. And he loved to tell people that he “fooled the hell” out of everyone.

Visitation will be Sunday, June 20, 2010 from 3 to 5 PM at the Upton County Park’s Building. The Funeral Service will be Monday, June 21, 2010 at 10 AM, at the Upton County Park’s Building in Rankin, officiated by the Rev. Jennifer Kelly of The First United Methodist Church and the Rev. Larry Hood of Home Hospice of Midland. Interment will follow in Rankin Cemetery.

Kent was born on December 13, 1940 in San Angelo to Fish and Louise Powell. He attended school in San Angelo and later attended school in Barnhart, Texas. In 1947 his family moved to Fort Stockton.

Kent graduated from Fort Stockton High School in 1959. He attended San Angelo College for one year, transferring to Sul Ross the next year.

In 1962 he enlisted in the U.S. Army. He proudly served his country with pride and honor. He served in Vietnam and Germany. While in Vietnam he was awarded the Bronze Star for action against an armed force. He also received the Combat Infantry Badge for personally fighting in active ground combat. He received the Army Commendation Medal for meritorious service. After 7 ½ years of military duty, Kent decided that he wanted to join civilian life again. He received an honorable discharge and ended his Army life as a Staff Sergeant. He never forgot the time he spent in the military and he considered it “one of the best experiences of his life”.

Upon discharge, he went back to Sul Ross where he received his Bachelor of Science and Master Degrees in Range Animal Science. He also did additional graduate work at Texas A&I in Kingsville. While at Sul Ross he coached the rodeo team.

On February 16, 1963 he married Judith Ann Roberts. They were married at the First Christian Church in Fort Stockton. They shared a wonderful 47 years and 4 months together. To this union two sons were born. John Trey Powell was born September 25, 1964 at Fort Hood. On January 23, 1968 Justin Boyd Powell was born in Stuttgart-Bad Cannstatt, Germany.

On February 16, 1972 Kent was named Assistant County Agricultural Agent for Jim Wells County, Alice, Texas where he was in charge of youth programs. Two years later his title changed to County Agricultural Agent. On February 15, 1975 Kent was named CEA-Agriculture for Willacy County, Raymondville, Texas. While in Raymondville, he participated in the effort for the youth and adult education and better farming methods in both livestock and crops.

On February 1, 1979 Kent took over the duties of Upton County Extension Agent. He was in charge of agriculture programs and 4-H activities. In August 1984, Kent received the Distinguished Service Award, the highest recognition given by the National Association of County Agricultural Agents. The award recognizes agents who have made outstanding contributions to agriculture and improved living. Kent initiated new ideas and concepts to improve the efficiency of livestock operations. This led to better use of range resources through improved range management. For sheep producers, Kent initiated programs for increasing the pounds of lambs sold, and increasing wool production through selection and breeding.

Kent also conducted demonstration work in pecan variety production; horticulture and vegetable production; and cotton irrigation timing, weed control, varieties and minimum input cotton. Narrow row cotton in Willacy County was another of his demonstrations.

He was also responsible for the first survey and drought emergency meeting which ultimately led to securing corn from government storage for West Texas ranchers in 1983. He is listed in the 1981 edition of “Who’s Who in Southwestern Agriculture. In 1994, the Upton County Jr. 4-H Livestock show was dedicated to Kent and Judith for their many years of support to Upton County 4-H.

On March 31, 1992 after nearly 27 years of service as a county extension agent, Kent retired. He was a member of the Texas County Agricultural Agents Association, where he served five years as Associate Director and then as Director. In 1990, he received a certificate from the Sate of Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, having completed program orientation, teaching methods and procedures as an instructor.

Kent was awarded Honorary Chapter Farmer by Vocational Agriculture FFA and also a citation as a token of appreciation for encouragement, cooperation and assistance given to FFA in 1976. He received a plaque for agent advisor, District 6 4-H Adult Leaders Association in 1988-1990.

Kent was also awarded a certificate from the Veteran’s Land Board of Texas for valuable contributions and personal dedication rendered to Texas Veterans as a member of the Upton County Committee Veterans Land Board.

In 1979, Kent became a member of the Sandhills Stock Show and Rodeo, serving on the Lamb and Steer Committee. He has served as co-chairman and chairman of the Lamb Committee. He presently serves as Vice President –Livestock.

Since 1995, Kent has served as Upton County Justice of the Peace – Precinct 1. He also served as Veteran’s Service Officer for Upton County. He is a life member and past post commander of the Big Lake VFW Post, where received All- American status.

Kent was a very good man, an honest man, and a friend to many. He never met a stranger and everywhere he went he always ran into someone he knew. Kent loved the outdoor hot summer days. He loved fishing and hunting always wearing his long sleeve shirts. Kent had a passion for cooking for family, friends and hunters and won many competitions. Kent was a great and wonderful cook. He touched many lives. Trey, Emily and I were blessed that we could call him “Husband”, “Daddy”, “Grampa.” We are going to miss him.

Kent was predeceased by his son Justin, his parents Fish and Louise Powell, his inlaws, Mr. And Mrs. Estes B. Roberts, his brothers-in-law, Twan Roberts and Howard White, 2 nephews, Dennis Roberts and Dan Roberts.

Survivors include his wife, Judith, son Trey, and a very special granddaughter whom he referred to as his “rotten kid,” Emily Powell, of Waxahachie, Texas. He is also survived by a sister Brenda Menzies and husband John, of Aledo, TX., and a brother Richard Powell and wife Linda, of Alpine, TX. He is also survived by an aunt Johnnye Coleman, of Alabama, a sister-in-law Pansy White, of San Angelo, brother-in-law, Bill Roberts, of Ballinger, several nieces, and nephews and a number of cousins. Judith and Trey would like to extend a very big “Thank You” to Home Hospice in Midland, Texas for the wonderful care, concern, respect, friendship and compassion that you provided for Kent and also the two of us. Kent was very blessed to have had you as his hospice “Support Team.” Thank you Lisa, Armida, Marvin, Laurie and Larry! We would also like to thank Dr. Anderton and his staff for the wonderful care that you gave Kent all these years. Pallbearers for the service will be Warren Multer, Norman Kohls, Billy Reagor, Don Richardson, Tommy Everett, Ellis Helmers, Lawrence Blanton, Al Leck, Tommy Owens, Jerry Goff, Brent Drennan, Bill Eyler, and Doug Mitchell. Honorary pallbearers for the service, Dr. Paul Weyerts, Lynn Evans, Steve Paz, Bob Austin, Jack Scoggins, Darden Stokes, Randall Pittman, D. David White, Dale Pennington, Mike Dietric, Home Hospice of Midland, all of his extension service family, and the Upton County Sheriff’s Department and Deputies.

Memorials may be made to Home Hospice of Midland or a local 4 H Club.

Family and Friends May Sign an Online Memorial at www.johnsons-funeralhome.com