Richard B. Powell

APACHE JUNCTION - Richard B. Powell passed away Feb. 17, 2017, at home surrounded by his family, after a long fight with cancer.He was born Aug. 20, 1953, in Quincy, Ill., son of Albert Eugene 'Gene' and Mabel Taylor Powell.He married the former, Valerie Meissen, May 5, 1972, at St. Francis Church, and remained happily married for over 44 years. He retired from the International Brotherhood of Boilermakers for Local 374, of Northern Indiana and Local 1, of Chicago, Ill., summarizing over 30 years as a professional welder. During that time, he earned a B.A. in Pastoral Theology, from Hyles-Anderson College, Crown Point, Ind., May 28, 1993. While living in the Chicago, Ill., area, he was a lay preacher at Cook County Jail, Stateville Correctional Center, and various Rescue Missions for over 15 years, fulfilling his passion to serve Christ and his fellow man. He enjoyed reading the Bible and religious works, good humor, and good food, and most of all, his family. He was a member of Valley Baptist Church, in Mesa.Richard is preceded in death by his father, Albert Eugene "Gene"; sister, Christina Ashley; and paternal and maternal grandparents.He is survived by his aforementioned mother; wife, Valerie; daughter, Jessica Powell Moore, of Mesa; two sons, Jason Powell, of Apache Junction, and Major Justin Powell, U.S.M.C., of Omaha, Neb.; four grandchildren, Madelyn Moore, of Mesa, Ethan and Aidan Powell, of Apache Junction, and Justin R. Powell, of Omaha, Neb.A memorial service was held at Valley Baptist Church, in Mesa.