Howard Dean Powell

Howard Dean Powell, of Vernal, 100, passed away on May 8, 2024, in Vernal, Utah. He was born August 17, 1923, in Altonah, Utah to Clarence Dean and Elsie Luella Chidester Powell. On August 23, 1949, he married Geraldine Spencer in the Salt Lake Temple. She died in 1993. In 1995 he married Lawana Blackburn in Elko, Nevada. She died in 2007. Howard was preceded in death by two brothers, Dr. Calvin Jay Powell and Richard William Powell, and an infant sister, Elaine Powell. Howard is survived by his 3 children: Patricia Ann Sanderson and husband, Jack, of Rancho Cordova, California; Robert Howard Powell and wife, Rozanna, of North Ogden, Utah; and Steven D. Powell and wife, Kim, of Summit Park, Utah. He is also survived by stepdaughter, Pamela Bowden; 6 grandchildren: Leslie Sanderson, Scott Sanderson, Samantha Sanderson, Bryce Powell, Kevin Powell; step grandson Jamon Bowden, and 13 great-grandchildren. When Howard was in the 3rd grade, his parents paid $108 for a used trumpet, and he took lessons from several of the school band teachers through the years. The cost of a lesson was 35 cents an hour. He was a member of the first Duchesne School band at the age of 8 and was the youngest member attending the Regional Band Contest in Price, Utah at the age of 10. He entered and won several high ratings and honors in county and district contests while attending high school. He also played in the high school dance orchestra, traveling all over the county to play for dances. Howard attended Weber State College for a short time after high school and was inducted into the U.S. Army on June 10, 1943. He was stationed in Okinawa toward the end of the war, building airfields at the U.S. Military base. He was discharged on March 12, 1946. Howard retired on August 31st, 1983, as a Lieutenant with the Utah Highway Patrol and was a World War II Veteran. At the time of his death, he was the oldest living Highway Patrol Trooper in the State of Utah. Funeral services for Howard will be held Thursday, May 23, 2024 at 11:00am at the Phillips Ashley Valley Funeral Home. Visitation for family and friends will be held that morning from 9:45am ~ 10:45am all at the funeral home. Interment in the Duchesne City Cemetery with Military Honors by the Utah Highway Patrol Honor Guard and the American Legion Post 22 in Duchesne. Services under the direction of the Phillips Ashley Valley Funeral Home.