Loyd W. Powell Jr.

Loyd Walter Powell, Jr., entered the gates of Heaven and came into the Glory of the Lord in the early hours of Saturday, September 11th, 2021. His Kingdom arrival followed a fiercely fought battle with cancer, and he is now living in complete healing eternally.

Loyd was born in Gladewater, Texas, in 1946 to Loyd Sr. and Reba Powell. He graduated from St. Mark’s School of Texas in Dallas before attending Denver University, where he graduated in three years. He completed his MBA at Southern Methodist University and immediately enlisted in the Army Reserves as a medic.

Loyd Powell was a drilling machine born to "make hole" and deliver American oil. While other boys were involved in school activities, young Loyd was constantly by his father's side visiting drilling rigs, catching samples from the shale shaker, and learning the doghouse lingo. After he purchased his first string of drill pipe as a college student, there was no looking back.

At the age of 29, Loyd took his father's place by assuming command of the family business after his father's sudden passing. Over 50 years, Loyd grew Cholla Petroleum, Inc. into one of Texas' largest independent oil and gas exploration companies, personally overseeing the completion of more than 1,150 oil and gas wells. Until the very end, even from the hospital bed, Loyd continued to wildcat for oil and gas, reviewing reports, asking for updates on wells and even monitoring progress on his most recent venture into bitcoin mining. Loyd has left operations to his sons, who will continue to lead Cholla into the next phase of exploration.

Loyd took pride in being the youngest member admitted to the Dallas Petroleum Club at the age of twenty-one. He was a proud supporter of the Bullock Texas State History Museum and countless charitable organizations. Additionally, he was an active member of the Texas Alliance of Energy Producers, Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raisers, Dallas Wildcat Committee, along with the Dallas Producers Club. He was a longtime member of TIPRO and honored by them in 2013 for his work in the oil and gas industry.

Loyd's love of the oil and gas business was only overshadowed by his love for his "cute" wife, Michal Powell, and their large, loving family. He considered Michal his most significant discovery; his life changed forever the day he met her. They were each other’s best friends and his beloved wife truly brought him more joy and pride than any well ever did. Together, they had four children and Loyd affectionately took on his father's nickname, to be known as "Slim" to their many grandchildren. Loyd is survived by his wife, adoring children, grandchildren, a firecracker mother-in-law and his dearly cherished extended family.

It was of the utmost importance to Loyd that he be an honest businessman with the highest integrity, who preferred to do business on a handshake and take a man at his word. Loyd was an employer who valued his employees. He was a proud Texan and an American patriot. Most importantly, he was a man of quiet yet steadfast faith in his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. For many years he enjoyed being a member of the Fant Sunday School class at Park Cities Baptist Church.

Loyd found great pleasure in spending weekends out at the ranch with his family making sure the grass was well mowed, the cedar trees were chopped and the cows were fat and happy. He always had his dog riding shotgun and enjoyed a good hunt with his boys. Loyd was an avid collector of Southwestern art and also had an eye for picking out a new dress for his wife. He was a voracious reader and maintained a vast collection of books, particularly highlighting his depth of knowledge of Texas and oil history.

Loyd had a lot of character and was quite a character himself. He said what he thought and never left anyone questioning where he stood. He left his family without any doubt as to where he was going. Loyd is now living eternally in the Kingdom of Heaven.

A celebration of life will be held the morning of Saturday, September 18, 2021, at 10:30 a.m. at Park Cities Baptist Church.

In lieu of flowers, charitable gifts may be made online or by check to Men of Nehemiah, The Salvation Army of North Texas or The Denison Forum. It was Loyd’s wish that gifts be directed to these ministries he knew and loved well.

Men of Nehemiah

2010 Al Lipscomb Way

Dallas, Texas 75215

www.menofnehemiah.org

The Salvation Army of North Texas

P.O. Box 36006

Dallas, Texas 75235

**New Dallas Social Service Center

www.salvationarmynorthtexas.org

Denison Forum

17304 Preston Road

Suite 1060

Dallas, Texas 75252-5618

www.denisonforum.org