Joseph Blakemore PowellJoseph 'Joe' Blakemore Powell, 86, of Midland, passed away Tuesday, July 15, 2008 at home. The family will receive friends from 6:00pm to 8:00pm, Thursday. July 17, 2008 at Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home & Crematory in Midland. Funeral services will be held at 11:00am, Friday, July 18, 2008 at First Christian Church in Midland with Dr. Tommy Potter and Rev. Paula Brooks, officiating. Interment will follow at Resthaven Memorial Park in Midland. Joe was born June 3, 1922 in Florence, Alabama to Robert Athey and Kate Dobson Powell. He spent his childhood in Dawson Springs, Kentucky. Joe moved to Crosbyton, Texas, at the age of sixteen and was graduated from Crosbyton High School in 1939.Joe served during WWII in the US Navy in the South Pacific. After the war, he owned and published the Briscoe County News in Silverton, Texas from July 1946 until March 1948. At that time, he moved to Lubbock and worked as Superintendent at Texas Tech Press until 1953.Joe moved to Midland in 1953 and established Powell Printing Company, which he owned and operated for 45 years.Joe joined First Christian Church on November 10, 1963. He served as Elder and Chairman of the Board, and he sang in the choir for many years. He was named Elder Emeritus in 1999.During the 1950's, 60's and 70's Joe was active in the Masonic Temple, Order of Eastern Star and Midland Shrine Club. He served two terms as Worthy Patron of Norman Read Chapter OES, had served as President of Midland Shrine Club and Captain of the Suez Patrol. He was a lifetime member of the Scottish Rite, 32nd Degree Mason and received the KCCH (Knight Commander of the Court of Honor). He also worked with the Norman Read Assembly #299 Order of Rainbow for Girls for many years. Joe married Nadine Harvey in July 1988.Joe loved the outdoors, and was an avid hunter and fisherman. He also loved to dance and was President of the 55 Dance Club of Midland for several years. A sharp businessman, he was always a hard worker, working as hard at play as he did at work. His sense of humor and colorful personality will be missed. November 16, 1974 was proclaimed 'JOE POWELL DAY' by Mayor Ernest Angelo, Jr., for Joe's untiring, unselfish and distinguished service to his fellow man, his church, his home city, and his state, and the unprecedented recognition he brought to the City of Midland.He is survived by his wife, Nadine of Midland; three daughters: Barbara Hood and husband, Buz, of Burleson, Texas, Judy Graham and husband, Frank, of Shady Shores, Texas and Jodie Jones and husband, Keith, of Lakeside Village, Texas; one nephew, Tom Powell of Big Fork, Montana; eight grandchildren: Bill Matthews, Gary Matthews, Joe Matthews, Aaron Graham, Brady Graham, Cody Graham, Luke Jones, and Elaine Fulmer; stepsons Randy Reed of Knoxville, Tennessee and Rusty Reed of Plano, Texas; 6 great-grandchildren, 3 step-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Raymond Clyde Powell.The family wishes to express heartfelt appreciation to Joe's longtime caregivers, Letti Estrella and Hilda Flores and the Home Hospice staff for their exceptional loving care during Joe's illness. The family also requests that memorials be made to First Christian Church, 1301 W Louisiana AVE, Midland, TX 79701 or Home Hospice, 901 W Missouri AVE, Midland, TX 79701.Arrangements are under the direction of Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home & Crematory of Midland. Online condolences can be made at: www.npwelch.com,
