Obituaries and remembrances.

1920-2018

Wesley Powell of Seabrook, Texas passed peacefully at his home on February 12, 2018 at the age of ninety-eight. The youngest child and only son of Ivy and Curry Powell, Wesley was born on January 12, 1920 in Clarendon, Texas. He credited his two older sisters, Mary Francis (Sue) and Dorothy (Pete) with helping to mold his leadership character that was an integral part of his entire life.

As an Army Air Force pilot commanding a B-24 bomber during World War II, Wesley was shot down over Yugoslavia, evading capture for weeks before making his way back to friendly forces. His entire crew made it home safely. Decades later, the crew met annually until they were no longer able to travel. Becoming a decorated war hero in his mid-twenties made a lasting impression upon both Wesley and his family.

Wesley married the love of his life, Juliette de la Moriniere, on May 14, 1945 in Champaign, Illinois. They first met when he was just nine and she was fourteen on a road trip from Houston with her mother Fern, while visiting relatives in Clarendon. During WWII, when he was stationed in El Paso and she was also in El Paso working, he took that as a sign from Providence that they were destined to be together. The couple married and eventually moved to Seabrook in 1955 where they raised three sons, living together in the same house in Seabrook on Galveston Bay for nearly 60 years, where he lived until his passing. Even the destruction of two hurricanes couldn’t keep Wes and Julie from their beloved bay: they added on to their house after Hurricane Carla and, while they were both in their nineties, endured a complete rebuild after Hurricane Ike.

Wesley spent the majority of his career as a Mechanical Engineer designing oilrig platforms in the Gulf of Mexico and later in the North Sea. He and Juliette enjoyed several years of living overseas in both England and Norway—the family took every opportunity to visit during that time period.

Because of his boys, Wesley became very involved in local youth baseball and coached for many years. He built the first basic but fully functional baseball field at the location of the current modern fields next to Bay Elementary. The boys would drive the tractor from their house to scrape the fields. He and Juliette joined the Seabrook Methodist Church in 1955 and continued their membership until their deaths.

Wesley is survived by three sons: David and his wife Elizabeth (Buffy) of Houston, TX, Danny and his wife Candice (Candy) of Fredericksburg, TX and Doug and his wife Stephanie of Austin, TX.

Eight grandchildren and spouses also survive him: Chris and Brandy Powell of Houston, Matthew Powell of Seabrook, TX, Keith and Claudia Powell of Houston, TX; Jason Powell of

Austin, TX, Jennifer and Mark Sheppard of League City, TX, Kristen Powell of Fredericksburg, TX; Sophie Powell and Nathan Powell of Austin, TX.

Wesley was also blessed with 5 great grandchildren: Grace and Peyton Sheppard, Isaac Powell, Landon Powell and Greyson Powell.

Wesley was preceded in death by his parents, two sisters, and his wife Juliette, who passed on June 29, 2011.

A memorial service will be held at 4:00 on February 26, 2018 at the Seabrook United Methodist Church, 3300 Lakeside Drive. A reception will follow at the church. In lieu of flowers, his wish is to please spend the money on your family.