Obituary of John Powell

A memorial service for John Albert Powell, of Chico, will be held Tuesday, August 28, 2012 at 1:00 at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints Stake Center located at the corner of Mariposa and East Avenue, 2430 Mariposa Avenue. Surrounded by those he loved and who loved him, John passed away quietly after an extended battle with cancer. John was born March 23, 1939 in Yuba City, CA to Walton and Earline Powell. He was the eldest of five children; Edwin Powell formerly of Iowa, Nancy Mohr of Idaho, Charlotte Powell of Washington and Press Powell formerly of Chico. John grew up in the North State where he enjoyed hunting and fishing with his family. He attended Chico High and then served in the Army where he was honorably discharged in 1961. He graduated from Chico State in 1965 with his degree in Accounting. He was a CPA in Sacramento for Main Hurdman and then returned to Chico in 1970 and became a Partner at Matson & Isom until starting his own practice in 1982. He formed a partnership with his son Richard in 2005. He also served as a member of the Board of Directors of the North State National Bank. John was a member of a family business operation spanning four generations. They produced flyfishing rods which were internationally recognized as among the highest quality produced. John married Lynn Baechtel on June 8, 1963 and began their journey together. John and Lynn had 5 children; Richard Powell (Tonya), Kirk Powell (Leann), Melinda Kennemer (Frank), Laurie Barnes (Bill) and Dr. Bill Powell (Anne) and 15 grandchildren; Cherstyn Powell, Erica Barnes, Ethan Powell, Annika Powell, Courtney Powell, Tyler Barnes, Taylor Kennemer, Brendon Powell, Nathan Powell, Kelsey Powell, Hailee Powell, Kyle Barnes, Gillian Powell, Charity Powell and Zoey Powell. Family was the most important thing to him and he was a great example to all he came in contact with. He cherished his time with each of his children and grandchildren. John was well known in the community and was involved in organizations he felt strongly about. He valued education and helped students attend college by volunteering his time on the Chico Community Scholarship Association board for many years. He was also a strong supporter of Ducks Unlimited and the California Waterfowl Association. John was preceeded in death by two grandchildren; Nathan Powell and Charity Powell and his two brothers; Press Powell and Edwin Powell. He is survived by his wife Lynn Powell, his five children, thirteen of his grandchildren and many others whose lives he impacted. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Chico Community Scholarship Association in John's memory in hope of providing educational opportunities to deserving youth.