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Homer Gordon Powell

Posted 2009-08-09 by Pat Wilson
The Arizona Republic, Phoenix, Arizona
April 20, 2006

Homer Gordon Powell lived his life for God.

Homer was born in Kentucky on April 13, 1920. He was the son of Lillian and Albert Powell, a railroad man.

The family moved to Nampa, ID where Homer attended high school, participating in Golden Glove boxing. He later graduated from Northwest Nazarene University where he was an all-star basketball player. It was there he met Gayle, his loving wife of 60 years.

Homer loved flying and when WWII began he went to Phoenix, Arizona for cadet training at Luke Air Force Base. He became a second Lieutenant, flying a P-51 Mustang fighter plane in the 361st Unit. On June 27, 1945, Homer was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while flying a P-51 Mustang aircraft in aerial combat over continental Europe from Sept. 1, 1944 to March 22, 1945. Post war, 1947, Homer opened an army surplus store, then a tent, across from the Boeing factory in Seattle, Washington. That "tent" later grew into a multi-million dollar company with 50 stores in Washington, Hawaii (Wigwam) Arizona (Totem and Malcom's) and California (Webb's). Because of Homer's foundation in Christ, he would not allow the sale of liquor or cigarettes in his stores, and never opened on Sunday. He always credited his firm's success to its Christian-oriented principles. Homer lived an honest, Christ-centered life. He was the best husband, dad and grandfather anyone could ever imagine. He was an avid golfer, hunter, and loved to ski with his whole family.

Homer G. Powell went to be with Jesus on April 17, 2006. He leaves behind his two daughters, Sandra Powell (and Ron) Lane, Joni Powell (and Bill) Kinnerup as well as four grandchildren - Tiffanie Liebich, Kyndra Lane, Nicole Lewis and Kohl Kinnerup and three great grandchildren - Brandt, Hunter and Quinn Liebich. He also leaves three nephews, Monty Ortman, Gary Fuson and Don Morgan, and four nieces, Shegay Vanderpool, Tanya Ortman, Norma Sarconi and Linda Havens, and his brother-in-law, Dallas Ortman.

A memorial service was held on Friday, April 21, at the Biltmore Church of the Nazarene, 5604 N. 24th St. in Phoenix.



See Also: Paradise Memorial Gardens Cemetery




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