E.C. "Sonny" Powell

E.C. “Sonny” Powell, 94, passed away on September 18, 2026. Born on April 12, 1932, in Wilson, Oklahoma, Sonny carried with him a steady optimism and resilient spirit throughout a life shaped by service, aviation, family, and a love of the open sky.

Sonny was born Eldridge Culbertson Powell Jr., the only child of Eldridge Culbertson Powell Sr. and Ora Lee Fewell Powell. When he was a young boy, his parents took him to the county fair, where they purchased tickets for Sonny and his mother to ride in a biplane. From that moment, Sonny knew the direction his life would take: “I want to be a pilot.”

His parents moved frequently for work, settling in Atlanta before World War II, returning to Oklahoma during the war, and moving back to Atlanta afterward. Sonny completed his schooling in Atlanta, where he participated in football, basketball, baseball, and the glee club.

At age 17, Sonny and his best friend decided to join the Navy while Sonny was still completing high school. On September 11, 1949, he joined the U.S. Naval Air Reserve in Atlanta, Georgia. He devoted himself to training and drills, determined to make his dream of becoming a pilot a reality.

Sonny graduated from South Georgia College in 1953. The following day, he entered the Naval Aviation Cadet Program at the U.S. Naval Air Station in Atlanta. Soon afterward, he was stationed at Naval Air Station Pensacola for preflight training. On October 13, 1954, he earned his wings.

He spent countless hours completing precision training and carrier qualifications. During this time, he also discovered a lifelong passion for golf, dedicating much of his spare time to improving his game. Over the years, he recorded 10 holes-in-one—one of many accomplishments of which he was proud.

Sonny’s distinguished Navy career included helping develop and test the “Call the Ball” system in 1955 for propeller planes landing aboard the USS Bennington (CVA-20). In 1972, he was selected to command transport aircraft for the Apollo 16 capsule recovery mission aboard the USS Ticonderoga (CVS-14). During the mission, he met and flew with astronaut John Young and the moon rocks.

In his personal life, while stationed aboard the USS Thetis Bay (LPH-6) in Norfolk, Virginia, Sonny met his future wife, Patricia “Patti” Powell, who was working at the Pentagon. It was love at first sight—even though Patti held a higher security clearance than Sonny. The couple spent the early years of their marriage traveling and seeing the world before starting a family. Together, they had two daughters, Kimberly Powell and Courtney Powell Karamitis.

Sonny, Patti and the girls lived in Atlanta, GA, Pensacola, FL, and Walnut Creek, CA as they moved cross country several times for his military career. He spent his time in the Navy doing what he loved, being a flight Instructor for aircraft carrier landings and held the title of a Landing Signal Officer (LSO) and retired as a Lieutenant Commander.

Shortly before retiring from the Navy in the early 1970s, Sonny’s love of a great sandwich led him into business. He and his best friend from high school opened and operated a sandwich & ice cream shop called The Sugar Mill.

In the mid-1970s, after retiring from the Navy, Sonny and his family moved back to California. He continued his love of flying as a private pilot and playing golf. He purchased a Cessna 310, which he owned for many years and described as a great way to get from “here to there”—or to another golf course. He earned his private pilot flight instructor certificate and flew as a commercial private pilot, carrying passengers that included members of the Beach Boys and William Hearst Jr. and his family.

Sonny will be remembered as a kind, generous, loving & supportive family man to his girls, always there for a hug and genuine smile and for his love of aviation, golf, adventure, and the many friendships he formed throughout his life.

He was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 48 years, Patricia “Patti” Powell. He is survived by his daughters, Kimberly Powell (Martin Harper) and Courtney Karamitis (Dan); grandchildren Marisa Braziel (Josh) and Evan Trent; step-grandchildren Joe Harper, Connor Harper (Launia Davis), Christopher Karamitis and Caitlin Nichols (Joe); and many cousins and extended family members.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 3:00 p.m. on October 17, 2026, at Bayview Fisher-Pou Chapel, 3351 Scenic Highway 90E, Pensacola, FL 32503. Friends are welcome to visit with the family beginning at 2:00 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that donations be made in Sonny’s memory to The Powell Estate, Inc. Your donations would be a meaningful way to honor his unconditional love for the Powell Family’s home, land and legacy. Please find the Venmo QR code below for donations or use the link following: https://account.venmo.com/payment-link?recipients=Claudia-Balkcom&txn=pay