1956 Major Charles E. Powell, U. S. Army retired

 

Our first chapter president, Major Charles Elmer Powell, United States Army, retired, was born on 27 September 1884 in North Bend, Indiana.  Charles was the son of Mary K. and Sampson James Powell. Major Powell was a veteran of both World War I and World War II.

In 1910, Major Powell was working for the railroad as a Section Foreman in Nevada, along with his brother, Royal O. Powell. After the war, he returned to civilian life and in 1920 was again working for the railroad as a General Office Foreman in San Antonio, Texas.  1930 finds him living in Nogales, Santa Cruz County, Arizona serving as an Inspector with the U. S. Border Patrol.

Major Powell was active in the American Legion and was the first chapter president of The Arizona Chapter of The Retired Officers Association, now called MOAA, in 1956.

Major Powell passed away on 24 May 1965 in Wittmann, Arizona.  He was survived by his wife, Eudorah M.; a daughter, Mrs. Geraldine Savage of Wittmann, Arizona; six sons, two other daughters and two brothers, all living out-of-state.  Funeral services were by the Grimshaw Mortuary, 710 W. Bethany Home Road, Phoenix, AZ.

Major Powell is interned in Plot I-251-2, Resthaven Park West Cemetery, 6290 W. Northern Avenue, Glendale, Arizona.  His wife, Eudorah Muriel Powell, who died on 4 March 1971 in Merced, California, is buried beside Charles.