Gary Lee Powell

Gary Lee Powell, age 55, of West, passed away Saturday evening, February 2, 2008 in Comanche. Funeral services will be held 10:00 a.m. Wednesday at the Aderhold Funeral Home Chapel in West, with Rev. Robert Nelson officiating. Burial will follow at Gerald Cemetery. The family will receive visitors from 6:00 to 8:00 Tuesday at the funeral home. Gary was born on May 15, 1952 in Waco, the son of Aubrey and Laura (Fowler) Powell. He attended LaVega schools and LaVega High School where he played football. He worked as a truck tire operator for General Tire and Rubber Company for twelve years, Tyco Company (formerly Paragon) for fifteen years, and most recently he worked for the Axtell Independent School District in maintenance and as a bus driver. On January 13, 2001 he was united in marriage to Edwina Symank in Chalk Bluff. Gary enjoyed raising game fowl. He also enjoyed working with greyhounds and horses, watching boxing, and playing baseball and softball. He especially loved spending time with his grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his father, Aubrey Powell, Sr. and an infant son, Gary Lee Powell, Jr. He is survived by his wife Edwina Powell of West; his mother, Laura Lorene Powell of Bellmead; two sons, James Houston Powell and friend Kelly Smith-Chirey of Waco and Kevin Ray Powell of Lacy-Lakeview; two daughters, Tonya Renee Shilling and husband Bobby and Kelli Marissa Powell, all of West; one step-son, Dustin Matus of West; one step-daughter, Jennifer Kalina of West; two brothers, Aubrey Powell, Jr. of Bellmead and Andrew Powell and wife Kim of Axtell; eight grandchildren, Brandt Shilling Kelsey Pierce, Colby Snokhous, Alana Machac, Kiylee Callaway, James Powell, Jr., Jessie Powell, and Cheyenne Powell; and several nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends. Active Pallbeares will be Ricky McGee, Roger Frields, Mike Reeves, Jimmy Sykora, Jimmy Clark, Ronnie Symank, Dennis Symank, and Dutch Cohrt. Honorary Pallbearers will be Lester Rager and Kenneth Hutchinson. Memorials may be made to the American Heart Association or the Axtell Athletic Department.