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In Memory

Authnell John Powell

Authnell John Powell (A.J.), 97, passed away in the early morning of January 29, 2007. He had been hospitalized in the Bear Lake Memorial Hospital for several days prior to his death.

A.J. was born January 2, 1910, in Granite, Utah, to John Abraham Powell and Florence Caroline Whetman. He married Grace Richards July 8, 1936, in the Logan, Utah LDS Temple. They are the parents of two sons and one daughter. Their marriage ended in divorce in 1960. A.J. was raised in Sandy, Utah, Glenwood Springs, Colo., and Montpelier, Idaho. After graduating from Montpelier High School, he attended the University of Idaho Southern Branch in Pocatello and Utah State in Logan. Upon earning a bachelor's degree in education, he immediately began teaching in the Bear Lake Valley.

A.J.'s teaching career in Fish Haven, Montpelier and Bennington spanned several decades. His literature class at Montpelier High School was a favorite of students and his teaching of the "Tale of Two Cities," by Charles Dickens, has become legendary.

A.J. was a lifelong member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and served in many church assignments. After his marriage to June Smith Hoge in 1969, he served as bishop of the Paris-Bloomington Ward. June had two sons that became very special to him.

A.J. enjoyed music, especially male choirs and quartets, and he loved to sing in the church choir. He was active in the community, serving for many years on the Montpelier City Council and the Montpelier School Board. A.J. was a peacemaker. He had a wonderful sense of humor and was a friend to all ages.

After his devoted companion's death in May of 2004, A.J. continued to live in Bear Lake. In the later years of his life, A.J. stayed with the good people at Bear Lake Manor, where he seemed to assume the position of self-appointed "social director." His family is extremely thankful for the love and care he received.

Survivors include his sons, John Reed Powell (Carla) of Sisters, Ore., Robert Winston Powell (Lois) of Boise, Idaho; daughter, Carolyn Warth (Ronald) of Boise, Idaho; stepsons, Steven Hoge (Jolene) of Paris, Idaho, and Alan Hoge (Ulla) of Sandy, Utah; brothers-in-law, O'Dell Smith (Helen) of St. George, Utah, Dean Smith (Delores) of Salt Lake City, Utah, Kay Smith (Jaci) of Sandy, Utah, Kent Smith (Colleen) of Salt Lake City. A.J. has 35 grandchildren and 54 great grandchildren. 

Funeral services were held in Paris at the LDS Chapel February 3, 2007 and burial was at the Paris, Idaho Cemetery.

 
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03/26/14 09:51 PM #1    

Mike Arnell (1967)

A tremendous teacher, mentor, and dear friend.  The best of the best.   


03/27/14 09:33 AM #2    

June Straw (Horsley) (1943)

I remember Mr. Powell as chior director of the Second Ward on old Highway 30 many years ago.  June Horsley


05/29/14 04:53 PM #3    

Gordon Bradley (1963)

Mr Powell was a great teacher.  He was kind, gentle, and really cared about all of his students.

The were some students that loved disrupting the class, but with a few words, Mr. Powell had the class back under control.

Mr Powell was a person that we could all emulate.


05/30/14 10:12 AM #4    

Sandy Sparks (Hartley) (1964)

My grandson just came off a mission from Oregon and knew mr Powell's son in sisters Oregon.  He loved him and his dog.  The son must take after his dad.  What a small world.  Sandra Sparks Hartley


05/30/14 09:29 PM #5    

R. Lynn Jones (1950)

A.J. was one of my favorite people. When he and June were living in Paris, I had to stop and visit them whenever I found myself in Montpelier or camping at Bear Lake.


05/31/14 03:54 PM #6    

Terrell Bird (1964)

Mr. Powell was one of those teachers who leave a lifelong impression on his students.  I really enjoyed working with him in the summer painting schools and loved his classes.  He leaves a great legacy. 

 


12/10/14 06:26 PM #7    

Paul Grandy (1966)

AJ in 1966.


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