Henry Powell

Henry David Powell, 98, Bartlesville, OK died early Saturday morning, May 8, 2021 at his home.

Henry was born December 14, 1922 in Gassville, Arkansas to David Clayton Powell and Ethel Carrie (Lamb) Powell.  He grew up in Arkansas and was the first in his family to graduate from high school.  He went on to graduate from the University of Arkansas in 1943 with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and a major in Accounting.  The day after his graduation, Henry enlisted in the Army and served from 1943 to 1946 in the 100th Infantry Division during World War II, fighting in France and Germany.

On August 27, 1946, upon returning from the war, he took a job with Phillips Petroleum Company in Bartlesville, OK.  Henry joined the First Baptist Church, where he met and later married Virginia Lucille Wyly on July 3, 1947.  He and Lucille celebrated 52 wedding anniversaries until her death on Oct. 2, 1999.

Henry’s 39-year career with Phillips took him all over the world and he held several prominent positions with the company, including Controller of Worldwide Natural Resources.  In 1966, Henry established a pecan farm southeast of Bartlesville and continued to work the land year-round and harvest pecans each season.

Henry taught Sunday School for 58 years and was an active member of the Bartlesville First Baptist Church.  He was ordained as a Deacon in 1955 and served on several boards and various other positions in the church.  Henry was a 56-year member of the Scottish Rite and the Bartlesville Masonic Lodge #284; a member of the Downtown Bartlesville Kiwanis and served on the Board of the Oklahoma Baptist Foundation. On May 20, 2012, Henry married Marjorie Pitzer and the couple continued to reside in Bartlesville.

Henry is survived by his wife, Marjorie of the home and he will also be loved and remembered by Marjorie’s children, David Pitzer and wife, Whitney of Bartlesville and Gigi Bush and husband, Delton of Bentonville, AR and Marjorie’s grandchildren.  Henry is also survived by his son, Dr. James R. Powell of Prescott, AR; his daughter, Cheryl Powell Claybough and husband, John of Cypress, TX and his son, Robert David Powell and wife, Sherry of Hickory Creek, TX.  Also surviving Henry are his siblings, Lois Anderson of Louisville, KY; Curtis Powell of Fayetteville, AR and Louise Wilson and husband, Jim of Texarkana, TX, his nine grandchildren Shonte Graves, Tracy Morrow, Emily Osann, Ashley Ritley, Lindsey Townsend, David Elston, Noel Leimbacher, Brody Joyce and Logan Koger,  many great-grandchildren and great-great-grandkids.  He was preceded in death by his parents David and Ethel Powell, by his first wife, Virginia Lucille Powell and by a great-grandson, Tyler Morrow.

Funeral service for Henry Powell will be 1pm, Wednesday, May 12, 2021 at Bartlesville First Baptist Church with Pastor James Biesiadecki, officiating.  Interment will be in Bartlesville Memorial Park Cemetery, under the direction of Arnold Moore & Neekamp Funeral Home.  Viewing and visitation will be Tuesday, 9am – 8pm, with the family receiving guests at the funeral home from 6-8pm.  Family suggests donations in Henry’s memory to Powell Scholarship-Students From OBHC (Oklahoma Baptist Homes for Children) Attending OBU #59130.  To leave an online condolence, visit www.honoringmemories.com .