Patrick Jennings Powell

Patrick Jennings Powell, 82 of Clyde, passed away on June 19, 2023.  He was preceded in death by his father and mother, JN and Tibbie Burress Powell, and brother, Hugh Powell.

Pat was born on July 30, 1940 in Longview, Washington. He was an avid outdoorsman, who loved to fish, hunt, and travel with his family and friends, and especially his grandsons. He taught them how to catch a big bass and kill a wild turkey, and then how to cook and eat it. He talked of his many trips out west to hunt and of his fishing trips to Central America.  Hunting and fishing were in his blood.

The other thing that was in his blood was football.  Pat played for his beloved NC State Wolfpack from 1959-1963. He cherished the friendships he made there and held an annual party around his birthday to bring all the players together. He looked forward to the annual "Piggy Powell Pigout", where he would host numerous friends and family to celebrate good times and good memories. 

 Pat also enjoyed being a coach and loved and talked about "his boys" that he coached at Tuscola, Pisgah, and especially Bethel Junior High.  He would teach not only about football, but about life, and how to be a good man.  He playfully handed out nicknames to many of "his boys", which they still carry to this day.  One of his favorite things was to recount all the kids that played for him, what position they played, and who would be on his all-star team.  

Pat was also a very generous giver.  If you needed something, all you had to do was ask.  He loved to help people and gave of both his time and money.  When his daughter was hired to teach at Bethel Elementary, he generously volunteered to have mulch delivered to the playground each year and also cooked for the entire staff at the end of year luncheon until his health declined. He would also give to his church and cooked many a BBQ to help raise money for Elizabeth Chapel UMC.

Those left to cherish his memory are his beloved wife of 56 years, Gail Kirkpatrick Powell, his daughter and her husband Holly and Tim Trull, and his precious grandsons Milas and his wife Emily Trull, and Max Trull. He is also survived by his brother Sam Powell, sister, Joan Ensley, nephew Sammie Powell and his son Tate, and niece Meg Duffy Williamson and her family Jay, Henry, and Ruby.

A memorial service will be held at 2 PM on Saturday, June 24, 2023 at Elizabeth Chapel United Methodist Church in Ratcliffe Cove with Reverend Ben Shaeffer officiating . The family will receive friends immediately after the service.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Elizabeth Chapel UMC 98 Elizabeth Chapel Road, Waynesville, NC 28786.