George Witham Powell

George W. Powell, a long time Boulder resident, passed away Friday, September 30, 2016 at TRU HospiceCare in Boulder. He was born in Las Animas, CO, June 12, 1930 to Lester and Florence Powell. George attended Bent County schools graduating with the Class of 1948. He was involved in basketball, baseball, track, National Honor Society, and played trumpet in the band. He went on to attend the University of Colorado at Boulder, graduating with a degree in accounting in 1952.

The next four years he served in the United States Air Force stationed in Phoenix, AZ and Guam. He returned to Colorado in 1956 and, as an avid CU Buffs fan, purchased season football tickets that he and his family held for over 50 years. He met Jerry Lee Shaw while living in Denver and they married in Kingman, KS on August 10, 1958.

George's first job was with Martin Company in Littleton, CO. In 1960, George joined what was then called Ball Brothers Research Corp and that began his career as an accountant, progressing to Director of Accounting and finally as Controller, then named Ball Aerospace and Technologies Corp.; he retired in 1990. George was an expert in the very complicated financial rules and regulations associated with US Government contracts and accounting. He was respected as a man of high integrity and expertise. As Ball Aerospace grew over his 30 years of tenure, George played a very key role in ensuring that Ball's financial affairs, contracts, and internal and external reports were always of the highest quality and accuracy. Outside of work, George and other friends in the Ball community, enjoyed many years of fun playing in the golf league and on several softball teams (George was the catcher, 2nd baseman and a solid left-handed hitter). His love of sports also included bowling and skiing with his family and friends.

In 1968 George and Jerry moved their two daughters to the home they built in Boulder and soon added a son to the family. George was proud of the home he shared with Jerry for almost 50 years, and he took great care in tending the yard all the way up to his last days. He enjoyed the many sports and school events his children and grandchildren participated in and loved raising his family here, frequently saying, “We are so lucky to live in Boulder, Colorado.” He was involved in many family and church activities. After retirement from Ball in 1990, he enjoyed playing golf at Fox Hill CC and elsewhere, fishing the Colorado rivers, serving as a Deacon at First Presbyterian Church, gardening, growing concord grapes, and spending time with his grandchildren, as well as walking the dog.

George is survived by his wife, Jerry; daughters Wendy Smith (Darin), Lafayette; Carrie Schneider (Rod), Superior; son Doug Powell (Elaine), Lyons, CO; grandchildren Taylor Smith (fiancée Angel Ferrera), Trevor Schneider, Kayla Schneider, and granddog Maggie; brother Jack Powell (Joy), Aurora,; nephew Mark Powell (Dawnya), Littleton; brother-in-law Morrie Shaw (Phyllis), Phoenix, AZ; and nephew Justin Shaw (Haley Robinson), Boulder.

Services will be held at First Presbyterian Church, 1820 15th St., Boulder, CO on Monday, October 10th, 2016 at 1:00 pm. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to First Presbyterian Church Deacon’s Fund or TRU HospiceCare, 2594 Trailridge Dr. East, Lafayette, CO 80026.Arrangements under the direction of Crist Mortuary, Boulder, CO.