Kenneth “Ken” David Powell, 83, passed away peacefully into the arms of the Lord on August 26, 2025, surrounded by his beloved family. Born on September 2, 1941, in Alexandria, LA, to Kenneth Jackson Powell and Marie Louise Williams Powell, Ken was the oldest of four siblings. A cherished son, brother, husband, father, grandfather and friend, Ken loved his family and focused his time and effort on supporting and enriching their lives.
A gifted athlete and student, Ken lettered in football, basketball, and track in high school and earned a scholarship to run track at the University of Southwestern Louisiana (now the University of Louisiana at Lafayette) where he graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemical Engineering. Ken spent his professional career with Shell Oil Company working for 25 years in the company’s downstream business, holding various roles in operations, training and personnel development in the Deer Park refinery where he played a key role in process design, start-ups and chemical plant operations. An entrepreneur with a strong work ethic, Ken earned his real estate license after retiring from Shell and, along with his wife Jo Ann, owned and managed numerous properties and successful side businesses throughout the years.
Ken was a man of many talents and interests. He enjoyed learning – earning a second bachelor's degree from the University of Houston in Psychology and a master's degree in Human Resource Development from UT Austin. He was well read, loved to travel, coached his children’s baseball, football and softball teams, was a talented woodworker, could fix anything around the house and loved to eat and celebrate good times - ideally with a plate of Jo Ann’s homemade pasta and “sugo” or a cheeseburger! A survivor of pancreatic cancer at 50, Ken was defined by his strength and resilience.
Ken’s greatest pride and legacy was his family. He is survived in death by his beloved wife of 65 years, Jo Ann Angelina Longo Powell, his children, Kenneth Joseph Powell, Douglas Wayne Powell and wife Yolanda Montoya Powell, and Pamela Fay Powell Aulbaugh and husband Trent Aulbaugh, his grandchildren, Kenneth Tyler Powell and wife Mary Thompson Powell, Brittany Fay Salinas and husband Estevan Salinas, Angelica Christine Hairston and husband Troy Hairston II, Courtney Brooke Aulbaugh, Landen Douglas Powell, Lincoln Douglas Powell, and his sisters, Annette Croom and Patricia Powell Couvillion. He was preceded in death by his brother, Theodore Powell.
Ken’s life and legacy will be celebrated with a Funeral Mass at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Conroe, Texas on Thursday, September 4, 2025 at 10:30 a.m., and a Committal Service at Forest Park The Woodlands at 2:00 p.m.
To leave an online condolence, please visit the Dignity Memorial website. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to St. Vincent de Paul Ministry, Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 704 Old Montgomery Road, Conroe, TX 77304.
