Powell, Donald Casper November 1, 1935 - April 13, 2025

Donald Casper Powell, beloved husband, dad, grandpa, great-grandpa, brother, uncle, friend of many and faithful servant of Jesus, went home to be with the Lord in his sleep on April 13th, 2025, at 89 years of age.  He was born on November 1, 1935, in Appleton City to Casper and Myrtle Powell, who referred to him as “Son” his whole life.  He lived there and around the Osceola area until his family moved to Kansas City, Ks in 1941.

Don proudly served in the United States Army from May 1954 to May 1957, where he initially started in the anti-aircraft battalion known as “The Bloody One”, defusing bombs and live shells. However, he was quickly discovered to have a musical past from his junior high years and was thus moved into The First Infantry Division Band where he enjoyed playing the French horn at numerous public gatherings in many German cities.

After returning to the states, Don (often to referred to at that time as Sonny by those who knew him well), spent most of his 20’s living in St. Clair County, Mo, mostly around Osceola where he enjoyed various outdoor manual labor jobs including running a filling station.  He loved his cars during the 1960’s and 70’s, having a sheriff friend clock him at 142 mph in a Ford with a Police Interceptor engine.  His lead foot was apparently genetic, leading to his sons Greg and Jeff having a deep passion for high horsepower as well.  During those years, he could often be found in pool halls where he perfected his billiards skills and took many a man’s money in pool bets.  Although he was small in frame, he was well known for his ability to take on anybody who wanted to go a round with him.  He wasn’t proud of that later in life, but it was said he never backed down from a fight, and people that knew him knew not to start something they couldn’t finish.

He eventually moved back to the Kansas City area, and in 1969 he married his love Fran Powell and began their lifelong partnership, settling down in Overland Park. They lived there until 2009 when he and Fran moved back to Appleton City to get back to the “country”, where he always wanted to be.  In the early 1970’s Don received his CDL license and drove for Topeka Motor Freight, Shock and McLean Trucking companies.

Loving the outdoors so much, in 1975 Don started a lawn service and snow removal business which he operated for nearly 20 years called Prompt Able Lawn Service.  His four sons learned the ethics of hard work during those years, with all of them working at various times with him.  Don was a hard worker, and it showed in the long hours required in his business, often mowing after dark with the John Deere tractor headlights on, as well as plowing snow at all hours of the night. In one major snowstorm, he plowed snow for 40 hours straight with no sleep, enjoying every minute of it with the heater cranked to 11 and listening to his favorite country hits on 61 Country radio.   Don had a huge heart to give to others and always paid for food at IHOP for all the people who worked for him during snow removal.

In 1975, while attending Rosedale Church of God (Holiness), Don listened to the call of the Holy Spirit and dedicated his life to Jesus, which quickly changed his lifestyle and values.  He loved being in church any time the doors were open but loved his precious time alone with the Lord, praying and reading the Bible the most.  His biggest desire was and still is to this day that all his children, family and friends choose Jesus as their personal Lord and Savior, often crying during prayer and conversation over God’s love and grace for him and others.  Don spent countless hours in the Word and was on his 100th time through the Bible this year.

Don never knew a stranger anywhere he went and was always cracking a joke or making people laugh.  Following in his father’s footsteps, his love for gardening was incredible with some of the best peaches and tomatoes you’ve ever tasted.  Even in his 80’s, he had immaculately tended gardens where weeds simply didn’t exist.  As he got older, he often sold his produce out of the back of his truck or donated it if he saw those in need.  Money never mattered much to him, and he was always willing to give the shirt off his back to anyone who needed it.

When Don had spare time, he loved finding a good fishing hole, and man, could he find them.  Some people fish, but he “caught”.  The lakes, ponds and especially the strip pits around Appleton and Montrose were his favorite.  Many a time he would fish for a few hours with a buddy or one of his sons and come back home with over 100 “keepers”, all of which he cleaned and cooked for big family dinners.  What he didn’t keep, he’d clean and give to other family and friends.

In his later years, he became a devoted coin collector, spending countless hours researching and organizing them.  He also enjoyed evenings watching KU basketball and the Kansas City Royals. Don continued his love for the Lord and Godly fellowship by meeting at McDonalds for breakfast and devotions with a group of his buddies he jokingly called “The Prune Juice Gang” which sometimes included spontaneous prayer with patrons walking into McDonalds.

He is survived by his loving family: wife Fran Powell; sons Greg Powell & Jeff Powell (wife- Jenn), daughters Lynne Finch and Dena Barnes (husband- Andrew); step-son David Young (wife-Michelle); his 10 grandchildren: Nick Young, Kendon Powell McBee, Casey Powell, Gavin Finch, Kyle Finch, Keegan Powell, Oliver Barnes, Ezekiel Barnes and Crosby Powell; 7 precious great-grandchildren: Eleanor McBee, Lucy McBee, Eden McBee, Aria Finch, Alexis, Adrianna, Alyanna and Anthony Young; one great-great granddaughter Noelle Young; 2 sisters: Joyce Nichols and Laura Sisney; numerous nieces and nephews and his best buddies Lynn Welch & Frank True.

Don is preceded in death by his parents Casper Powell and Maggie (Myrtle) Bourland Powell; sisters Maxine Dunlap and Doris Quillin; his daughter Lisa Powell; and stepson Dennis Young.

Although Don was strong willed and tough as nails, he melted like butter and cried instantly when he talked about his love for God and his family.  No words can describe the huge hole we’ll have without him here with us, and he will be missed incredibly.  We can honor him by respecting his last wishes, which he mentioned multiple times over his last 3 months in the hospital: love and forgive each other, showing grace, especially in his immediate family, and to be the hands, feet, voice and face of Jesus to everyone we meet.