Norman "Chief" Powell

Norman “Chief” Powell, 89, a lifelong resident of Ozark, Arkansas, died Friday, May 20, 2011 at Mercy Hospital/Turner Memorial Hospital in Ozark from complications of pneumonia and renal failure. He was a retired teacher, member of the First Christian Church in Ozark, and a US Army WWII veteran. He was preceded in death by a brother, Harold Powell, and two sisters, Juanita Montgomery and Pauline Halmes. He was born on Manitou Mountain in Ozark on December 15, 1921 to Dick and Letha Smith Powell. His childhood was spent working on his parents’ Manitou Mountain farm and going to elementary school on Manitou Mountain. He attended Ozark high School. He served the US Army during WWII where he was stationed in El Reno, OK. During this time he married Latane Andrews. He worked at his family’s auto mechanic garage in Ozark until he enrolled at The College of the Ozarks in Clarksville where he earned a BA degree in History. He taught in the Ozark School District for 39 years and was a member of the Retired Teachers’ Association, belonged to the Masonic Lodge; he helped to establish the Franklin County Historical Association and helped found the Ozark Depot Museum. He received a Lifetime Achievement Award from and was a member of the Hall of Fame-Ozark Chamber of Commerce. He was a well known and respected historian and genealogist in Franklin County. Funeral service will be 2:00 PM Tuesday, May 24th at Shaffer Funeral Home Chapel with Dr. Jim Mattson and Reverend Wendell Keller officiating, with burial at Highland Cemetery in Ozark under direction of Shaffer Funeral Home of Ozark. He is survived by his wife Latane Andrews Powell of Ozark; a daughter Rozan Powell and a son David Powell, both of Fayetteville, Arkansas; and two grandchildren, Ben Oates and Brook Criner, both of Fayetteville; six nieces: Lynda Molton, Sandy Blevins, Donna Lowrey, Mary Alice Johnson, Christy Halmes, and Susan Powell; and a nephew, Joe Halmes. The family will visit with friends 6:00 – 8:00 PM Monday, May 23rd at Shaffer Funeral Home, 2315 West Commercial, in Ozark. To leave an online condolence visit www.shafferfuneralhomeweb.com. Memorial donations may be made to the First Christian Church, 105 North 5th Street, Ozark, Arkansas 72949

Norman "Chief" Powell

December 15, 1921 - May 20, 2011