Obituary of George William Powell

George William Powell was born on December 17, 1927 to Ulysses and Carrie Franklin Powell in Harriman, Tennessee. He was preceded in death by eight brothers, Ralph, Ulysses, Jr, Howard, Harold, Charles, Finis, Marcel and Kenneth and three sons, Gary, Alan, and Danny Powell. One sister, Dorothy, aslo preceded him in death.

Mr. Powell enlisted in the United States Air Force January 24th, 1946 and served until he retired from active military service in the grade of Master Sergeant, June 30, 1966. He was awarded the National Defense Service Medal, World War II Victory Medal, Air Force Longevity Service Award with four Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters, Air Force Good Conduct Medal and Silver Clasp with one loop by the Air Force. He was evaluated as an "outstanding airman" by the Air Force for seventeen consecutive years and never recieved an offical performace evaluation below "exceptional" during his entire service career. He also was an outstanding shortstop and played baseball and softball throughout his military career. He also found time to assist in organizing the Glen Elder Little League of Sacramento, California in 1960. He was the League's first Treasurer and managed the Dodgers from 1960 until the Air Force reassigned him overseas in 1962. His team won the pennant for three consecutive years, 1960, 1961 and 1962. In 1961, the first year of All Star Post Tournament Play, his All Stars has one win and one loss in extra innings by a score of 1 to 0.

On January 8th, 1949, George and Frances Charleston were united in marriage. To this union was born three sons.

Subsequent to retirement from active military service, Mr. Powell was employed by the State of California about four months, the US Post office about nine months and SAEOC-War on Poverty, for over three years until he settled down with the Sacramento County Welfare Department as an eligibility technician for almost fifteen years from February 1971 to his retirement in September 16, of 1985. His performance evaluations as a civilian were consistent with those as an airman, above standard and or outstanding. Altough working full time for the county, Mr. Powell attended evening classes with Sacramento City College from Fall 1974 semester thru Spring 1976 semester. He completed 12 units per semester and qualified for the President's Highest Honors for an outstanding scholastic performance for the last three semesters of attendance. He qualified for honors only his intial semester, due to the rustiness acquired since High School graduation. He remained active in Glen Elder Little League and managed to win another pennant with the Big League "B' team in 1978. His team won 26 games in 1978.