HAUGHTON – Services for Edward Graham Powell, Sr., 85, will be held at 1:00 p.m. Monday, October 17, 2016 at Rose-Neath Marshall Street Chapel, 1815 Marshall Street, Shreveport, LA. Officiating will be Dr. Pat Day of First United Methodist Church of Shreveport. Interment will follow at Rose-Neath Cemetery, Bossier City, LA.
Ed was born on July 25, 1931 in Elkin, North Carolina to Ettie Shores and Dennis Edward Powell and passed away at home with his wife by his side October 12, 2016. He honorably served his country in the United Stated Air Force and flew the F-51 Mustang during the Korean Conflict. After his service with the Air Force he attended and graduated from the University of Texas with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Petroleum Engineering. He was owner of the Powell Buick, Inc. in Shreveport, LA, from 1969 to 1997 and was a well respected leader in the car industry throughout his career. Ed served as Chairman of the New Car Dealers Association. He was also a lifetime Board member of the Louisiana State Fair where he generously supported the Junior Livestock Sale. He was the owner of the Shreveport Steamer of the World Football League. Ed served as a Commissioner of the Superdome in New Orleans, LA, Commissioner of the Port of Shreveport/Bossier, and was actively involved in the Oil and Gas industry. Ed was an active supporter of Barksdale Air Force Base. He was a member of the Shreveport Club, University Club, and the Petroleum Club. He was an active cattleman at his East Texas ranch, where he enjoyed the ranch life, especially riding his stallion King.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his sister,Helen Powell Quarles and husband, Robert, Shirley Parr Powell, the mother of his children, and brother-in-law, Joe Clark Fortney, Sr. Ed is survived by his loving and devoted wife, Debbie Putch Powell; son, Edward Graham Powell, Jr. and wife, Gina of Fort Worth, TX; daughters, Paige Powell of Shreveport, LA, and Caroline Powell Pumphrey and husband, Heath of Houston, TX; step-sons, Tim Doty of Dallas, TX and Terry L. Doty, Jr. of Bossier City, LA; step-daughter, Frances Small and husband, Patrick of Bossier City, LA; grandchildren, Joseph Powell, Brenden Pumphrey, Lawson Pumphrey, Anne Powell, Sean Powell, and Emma Doty; sister, Alma Powell Fortney of Baltimore, MD; numerous nieces, nephews and a host of friends.
Honoring Ed as pallbearers will be David Boggs, Don Fortney, Chris Giordano, Joseph Powell, Randy Quarles, and Josh Wise.
Serving as honorary pallbearers will be Joe Clark Fortney, Bob Griffin, Major Patrick Small, USAF, and Chase Wise.
A special thank you to Peggy Davis and her husband Ray, for all the love, support and care they gave to Mr. Powell.
The family suggests memorials may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105, First United Methodist Church, 500 Common Street, Shreveport, LA 71101, or the charity of the donor’s choice.