1936
Raymond
2017
Raymond Eugene Powell
June 20, 1936 — June 1, 2017
Raymond E. Powell – retired Assistant Director of University Facilities for Virginia Tech (Class of ’58) – passed away on Thursday, June 1 at his home in Riner, Virginia. Ray, also known as “Gene” by many of his extended family, died at age 80 after a valiant two-year battle with cancer. Mr. Powell worked at Virginia Tech from 1978 to 2002 and as a Class of ’58 Reunion Committee member, helped coordinate the 2008 design and installation of the new West Campus Signature Gateway.
Ray Powell enlisted in the National Guard in his hometown of Danville Va. at age 17, and later, after graduating from the Virginia Tech ROTC program (VTCC Company B), served as a Captain in the United States Air Force. Mr. Powell flew extended missions to and in Vietnam, piloting a C-123 in the 777th Troop Carrier Squadron. He was honorably discharged in 1964. He then joined Burlington Industries, quickly rising to Plant Engineer for their facilities in Clarksville and Halifax, Va.
He was the son of Herbert A. Powell and Evalan “Bettye” Leftwich of Danville, Va. Ray Powell is survived by his wife of 61 years, Norma “Jo” Putze; his son, David and daughter-in law, Lou Ann, and two grandchildren, Innis and Virginia, of Raleigh, NC.; and his daughter, Katharyn “Kat,” and son-in-law, Russ Natoce, of Scottsdale, AZ.
A memorial service will be held Saturday, June 17 at 2 p.m. in the Virginia Tech War Memorial Chapel in Blacksburg, Va. The family will receive friends at the reception following the service.
Mr. Powell asked that memorial contributions should help others achieve their educational potential or support non-profit animal rescue/service organizations. He encouraged donations to the family-supported Edna S. Powell (his grandmother) Family Scholarship for Danville Community College or the scholarship fund of the Virginia Tech Foundation, VT Corps of Cadets Alumni, Inc., Class of ’58.
The family thanks the Radford Carilion Clinic Hospice team for their compassionate care and their assistance with conducting the memorial service. They also wish to express appreciation for the personal medical care and guidance provided by Blue Ridge Cancer Care in Blacksburg, Va.
The Edna S. Powell Family Scholarship
Attn: Shannon Hair, Director of Development
Danville Community College
1008 South Main St
Danville, VA 24540
Ray Powell enlisted in the National Guard in his hometown of Danville Va. at age 17, and later, after graduating from the Virginia Tech ROTC program (VTCC Company B), served as a Captain in the United States Air Force. Mr. Powell flew extended missions to and in Vietnam, piloting a C-123 in the 777th Troop Carrier Squadron. He was honorably discharged in 1964. He then joined Burlington Industries, quickly rising to Plant Engineer for their facilities in Clarksville and Halifax, Va.
He was the son of Herbert A. Powell and Evalan “Bettye” Leftwich of Danville, Va. Ray Powell is survived by his wife of 61 years, Norma “Jo” Putze; his son, David and daughter-in law, Lou Ann, and two grandchildren, Innis and Virginia, of Raleigh, NC.; and his daughter, Katharyn “Kat,” and son-in-law, Russ Natoce, of Scottsdale, AZ.
A memorial service will be held Saturday, June 17 at 2 p.m. in the Virginia Tech War Memorial Chapel in Blacksburg, Va. The family will receive friends at the reception following the service.
Mr. Powell asked that memorial contributions should help others achieve their educational potential or support non-profit animal rescue/service organizations. He encouraged donations to the family-supported Edna S. Powell (his grandmother) Family Scholarship for Danville Community College or the scholarship fund of the Virginia Tech Foundation, VT Corps of Cadets Alumni, Inc., Class of ’58.
The family thanks the Radford Carilion Clinic Hospice team for their compassionate care and their assistance with conducting the memorial service. They also wish to express appreciation for the personal medical care and guidance provided by Blue Ridge Cancer Care in Blacksburg, Va.
The Edna S. Powell Family Scholarship
Attn: Shannon Hair, Director of Development
Danville Community College
1008 South Main St
Danville, VA 24540
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Raymond Eugene Powell, please visit our flower store.
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