It is not every day you loose one of your oldest friends, and it is not very day that that man was also your Santa Clause. For years Mike supported me as I grew into a young police officer. We worked side by side for many of those years. Since then he has been one of my best friends holiday center piece for 16 years. We would always try to make it over to share in their celebrations if weather and time permitted. Mike was such a giving man and he was taken far too early.
You will be missed my friend.
Michael James Powell, 56, of Newdale, was called back home to our
Heavenly Father June 3rd, 2015. He passed away from complications of a
Heart Attack, at EIRMC. He was surrounded by his loving family.
Mike was born October 29th, 1958, in Vancouver Washington, to Francis
“Fritz” James Powell and Grace Ann Logoteta. He was the 4th of 6
children. He grew up in Washington and Idaho, and graduated from Sugar
Salem High School in Sugar City, Idaho. He served as an LDS missionary in the Ohio, Cleveland Mission. He was sealed for time and all eternity to his sweetheart, Cindy Lou Smith, in the Washington D.C. LDS Temple, in 1980. They have 5 children and 4 grandchildren. He graduated from BYU-Idaho with a degree in Outdoor Recreational Leadership; or as he put it, “a degree in recess.”
Mike had a passion for Scouting and was awarded the Silver Beaver. His passion for Scouting led to other outdoor endeavors including: The Society of Primitive Technology, Boulder Outdoor Survival School, Backtracks, and Redcliff Ascent. His heart truly lied with the American Mountain Man Association. His AMM brothers know him as “SilverHawk”, for his ability to raise money for the Association. He was on the board for the Museum of the Mountain Man, in Pinedale Wyoming. He participated in teaching 4th graders about Idaho History.
Mike served as a Police Reserve for Fremont County for several years. He worked for the Juvenile Corrections Center in St. Anthony, Idaho, for 32 years. During the last 6 years he was the Recreational Coordinator, and was known as “Coach” to all the kids he helped. Mike could see with clarity what the kids needed to heal their damaged souls. No one has been more effective at helping troubled youth. For over 19 years he brought the spirit of Christmas and joy to thousands of people both young and old through all walks of life. We will miss his wisdom and funny parodies, such as, “never pet a burning dog…”
He was preceded in death by his Parents and younger brother, Ronald Joseph.
He is survived by his wife Cindy, and children, Arwen (Jason) Aikele of Shelley, Michael D Powell of Newdale, Gwendolyn Moa of Rexburg, Anthony (Katie) Powell of Pocatello, Madalyn (Trevor) Platt of Washington, and 4 Grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, June 8, 2015 at the LDS church in Newdale. The family will receive friends Sunday from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. at the Flamm Funeral Home in Rexburg (61 North 1st East) and Monday at the church in Newdale from 10:00 to 10:45 a.m. prior to services. Interment will be in the Wilford cemetery.
Traveling to St Anthony for Mikes funeral was a great reason to get together with some of my besties. What better place to do that than the Sand Bar. Kelly, Selena, Heather, Suzette and I all shared many of our old stories. I was happy the Renee, Chris, Kelton, and Kaitlyn were able to make it. It was also crazy to meet back up with the chief, and Kurt after so many years. It was like a time warp for me, the fact that I was there with my husband and my son. Life has come full circle and I have a wonderful life. I could not be more blessed.
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