Haskell DeWitt Powell

Haskell DeWitt Powell entered this world on Friday, September 4, 1953.  He was the second of three sons born to Clarence and Elvarena Powell.  Because his father’s job as a gauger required frequent moves, early in life, Haskell developed the ability to strike up a conversation with anyone.  Not only could Haskell talk, but he could listen- not just hear, but really listen.  Who wouldn’t want a friend like that!?!  These communication skills combined with his great sense of humor, pleasant demeanor, and his immense generosity played a part in endearing him to so many.

In his youth, it was his father’s job that brought Haskell to the communities of Calliham and Yorktown, Texas.  In Calliham, Haskell learned to hunt, came to know Jesus, built lasting relationships with families like the Duseks and the Wilsons, and met his future wife, Antonietta “Tonie”.  In Yorktown, he cultivated his love of sports and fostered relationships with lifelong friends.

Ultimately, the relationships that he made in Yorktown prompted him to choose this rural community as his home.  Over the next five decades, Haskell invested not only in his children but those of the town by helping to reorganize Yorktown Little League, coaching various Little League baseball teams, and being an active member in the Yorktown Athletic Booster Club where he served several years as Vice President.  In addition to these things, he acted as a second father, friend, and confidant to many of the friends and classmates of his son and daughter. Ultimately, Haskell was a friend to all generations in Yorktown.

 Yet, he did not stop with the people of his chosen hometown.  Haskell was a husband who loved his wife, Tonie, a dad who adored his children, and a Pops who showered his grandchildren with affection.  He worked hard to provide for all of them.  Furthermore, he was a family man who demonstrated his love for his extended family by cooking his famous barbeque and barbecue sauce, teaching kids how to drive, being the best Pops ever, and so much more.  No one could give like him.

Haskell Powell left this earth on Monday, April 30, 2018.  He was preceded in death by his mother, his father, his stepmother Marie, and his brother Harvey.  He leaves behind his wife Tonie, his daughter Shanna, his son Chris, his daughter-in-law Brittan, his grandchildren Preston, Makenzie, and Adrienne, his brother Sonny and his wife Janet, and his half-sister Lisa Powell-Hall and her husband Matthew.  

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