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Larry Powell Obituary

Brought to you by McMahon-Lyon & Hartnett Funeral Home

Larry Powell

White Plains, NY

June 23, 1948 - March 16, 2019

Larry Powell Obituary

Larry Powell, born June 23rd, 1948, Bartow, GA to Ms. Ella Mae Powell (deceased). He is survived by his wife Alice Hudson Powell, Greenburgh, NY; son Kobie Powell (Dena deceased) Greenburgh, NY, from his first marriage (Idella Powell); two grandchildren, Amari and Aleah Powell; sister Gloria Jean Powell, Briarcliff, NY; niece Sophia A. McCallum (Dwayne) Briarcliff Manor, NY; two great nephews Marcus and Maison McCallum; mother-in-law Marie H. Chambers (Wilber deceased) Elmsford, NY; sister-in-law Debra Chambers (Luis Arzu) Valhalla, NY; nephew Kamari L. Arzu); brother-in-law , Curtis B. Chambers Elmsford, NY; brother-in-law Keith Austin, sister-in-law Louise Ashton (Willis), Tammy Austin, sister-in-law LaTanya Johnson (Robert);he was raised as siblings with two first cousins, Johnnie L. Tennerson Jr. (Patricia), and Louise Williams. He is also survived by a host of additional family and friends.

Larry attended elementary school in Bartow, Georgia and attended T.J. Elder High School. He was an “A“ student throughout elementary, middle, and high school, graduating in the top of his class with honors in June of 1966.

He was inducted into the U.S. Army on April 22nd, 1968 at 19 years of age. He successfully completed the US Army Infantry School and served in combat in the Vietnam War. He was awarded multiple awards and medals. Most significant among these honors being the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal with Bronze star, the Purple Heart (received on June 1st, 1969 for wounds he received in action), and the Silver Star (received on September 29th, 1969 for gallantry in action). The Silver Star being one of the highest honors awarded by the US Army, only the distinguished service medals and medal of honor denoting greater valor or accomplishment in combat. Larry was honorably discharged on April 21st, 1970, ultimately completing his reserve duties in 1974.

He was hired by the USPS in September of 1972. He was promoted to Supervisor of Transportation and Network Operations in 1998. He retired from the U.S. Postal Service in 2006. He shared 34 years of his life as husband to Alice Hudson Powell. Joining in union on his 36th birthday (June 23rd, 1984) and sharing his life with her until his passing on March 16th, 2019. That marriage brought him additional family that he truly cherished, as he formed a bond with the Chambers that he shared with precious few others.

Though employed as a postal worker Larry possessed an extensive array of interests and hobbies that could have served as careers. He was a licensed locksmith, an undertaking he started purely out of curiosity and mechanical inclination. Despite possessing no official training or schooling he was an incredible motor vehicle mechanic, possessing the knowledge to disassemble and reassemble an engine, and the ability to make whatever repairs it needed. However, he only worked on cars when the weather was between 69 and 74 degrees Fahrenheit, or so it seemed. He loved the outdoors and being by the water, but was particular about the temperature. He could fix almost anything and understood how virtually everything worked. He was always in search of knowledge, whether it came from an encyclopedia, biography, or documentary. He searched for knowledge and enjoyed an intellectual challenge. Doing crossword puzzles was among his favorite hobbies. He completed scores of them, enjoying them in his quiet time. During a recent brief hospital stay, his granddaughter apologized for bringing him crossword puzzle books but forgetting the pencils. He smiled and gave her a laugh by proudly and smugly telling her, “I don’t use pencil.” That was his other gift. In addition to his seeming omniscience, he had an infectious sense of humor. He could always find or create a laugh. His favorite form of comedy was the subtle or not so subtle insult, but anyone truly close to him knew that those he loved the most got it the worst. For someone that knew so much and often loved to share it, he could be quiet, private, reserved, and introspective. He was a notoriously straight shooter (literally and figuratively) and didn’t go out of his way to engage just everyone and anyone in conversation. But he believed in treating everyone, that would allow him, with fairness and kindness and if you were fortunate enough to ever be blessed by his smile, rest assured it was genuine and his way of quietly letting you know you were a pleasant addition to his day.

To share a memory or send a condolence gift, please visit the Official Obituary of Larry Powell hosted by McMahon-Lyon & Hartnett Funeral Home.

Events

Event information can be found on the Official Obituary of Larry Powell.