Lavona “Darrell” Powell, 94, passed away Monday, June 1, 2020 at Washington Regional Medical Center in Fayetteville, Arkansas.  He was born November 10, 1925 in Jefferson City, Missouri.  He was the son of Lucius Darnell “L.D.” Powell and Lutie “Rymple” Pruitt.

After thirty-two years working in the airline industry he retired and settled-down on the “Lake of the Ozarks” in Missouri on the quiet and remote end of the lake known as “Ivy Bend”.  With all his heart and hard work, he completed his “lake” house (along with billiard-pool room that he commanded without mercy from his days of practice from his youth well-spent).  There, he lived with his wife Beverley for thirty-seven years until three weeks before his passing.

He served in the United States Navy from December 7, 1942 to January 2, 1947.  His experience was his alone.  After separation from the military he was hired by United Airlines.  He was an aircraft mechanic for many years and with high work ethics and determination, worked his way up into management.  He worked in international airports in Minneapolis, Minnesota, Chicago, Illinois and San Francisco, California.  After a thirty-two year career he retired and found his life’s desire in Missouri on the “Lake of the Ozarks”.  He purchased a lot right on the lakes edge with large trees and dense vegetation.  A foundation and unfinished frame for a cabin and a vision to transform all this into their retirement home.  He loved working with his hands and so for the next five to ten years (it seemed like when one room or project was completed, he recognized another one to start) worked every day like it was his second career (he did make time for golf which he also took very seriously.  He truly enjoyed the challenge of the “great game of confidence”).

He was an outdoor sportsman in his younger years and had a great respect for the man/animal relationship.  However, in his later years, he seemed to be drawn to and enjoy observing the natural habitat of nature in its undisturbed environment.

He is survived by his wife of seventy-five years, Beverley Powell; his daughter, Loretta Jelinek and husband, Jerry of Elkins, Arkansas; his daughter-in-law, Reva Powell of Illinois; four grandchildren, Robert Powell of Illinois, Amy Lee of Illinois, Jonathan Jelinek of Fayetteville, Arkansas and David Jelinek of Centerton, Arkansas; great-grandchildren; and two half-siblings, Ed Powell and wife, Barb of Eldon, Missouri and Wilma Goodwillie of Independence, Missouri.

He is preceded in death by his father, Lucius Darnell “L.D.” Powell; his mother, Lutie “Rymple” Pruitt; and his sons, Larry and Lloyd Powell.

In respect to his wishes, there will be no funeral services.  However, due to our respect, his cremains will be inurned in the Fayetteville National Cemetery in Fayetteville, Arkansas.