On May 22, Judge Donald E. Powers passed on to a life everlasting.

Judge Powers served the twenty-third Judicial District in Lincoln and Pottawatomie Counties for 28 years and established an excellent reputation as a distinguished trial judge. He also served as the first presiding judge over the Multi-County Grand Jury for the State of Oklahoma.

He was a native of Tryon, Oklahoma. He graduated from Central State College and received his law degree from the OU College of Law.

During World War II, he was a navigator on the B-24 serving in the 15th Air Force in Italy and flew 51 combat missions, receiving the Air Medal with four oak leaf clusters and the Distinguished Flying Cross. He served in the Korean War with the 160th field artillery of the 45th Infantry Division and was discharged as a Captain.

He began his law practice in Chandler and was appointed County Attorney.

Returning from the Korean War, Judge Powers served in Washington DC as Congressional Secretary for Congressman Tom Steed until being elected District Judge. Through his tenure on the bench, Judge Powers served by special appointment on the Court of Bank Review, Court of Tax Review and Court on the Judiciary. He was Oklahoma Judicial Conference President and National Conference of State Trial Judges Executive Committee member. He loved serving his community. He was the recipient of the Silver Beaver Award by the Will Rogers Boy Scout Council. He served as Lion's Club President, American Legion Commander, Oklahoma Boys State staff member, Central State University Alumni Association President and Central State University Foundation Chairman. He also was honored by the Oklahoma Bar Association with the Judicial Excellence Award for his outstanding service to the state and legal communities.

He served the United Methodist Church on both the local church and conference levels. He was on the Conference Board of Laity, Conference Council on Ministries, Board of Prison Ministries and the Episcopacy Committee as well as serving on the Official Board and also as Sunday School Teacher, Church School Superintendent and Lay Leader.

He was a 33rd Degree Mason, Past Worshipful Master of Chandler Lodge No. 58, and served as District Deputy Grand Master.

He was preceded in death by his father, Floyd, a Tryon and Guthrie merchant, and mother, Ethel Barclay Powers, his brother, Robert Powers and sister, Floreine Clemons Thiessen.

Surviving are his wife, Mary; and two sons, Don Jr. and wife Linda Kay, and Jim and his wife Linda Carol all of Oklahoma City; grandchildren, Michael Powers and wife Katy of Norman, and Melanie Powers White and husband Nick of Choctaw; and great-grandchildren, Peyton, Sophie, Ella, Cole, and Harrison Powers, and Savannah, Ethan, and Baylee Fuqua all of which he was very proud.

Service will be 10:00 a.m. Friday at Quail Springs United Methodist Church in Oklahoma City with burial at Oak Park Cemetery in Chandler at 2:00 p.m. with the Rev. Guy Langston officiating under the direction of Smith and Kernke Funeral Directors, Oklahoma City.

The family has requested that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to Alleve Hospice, 8524 S. Western, Suite 105, Oklahoma City, OK 73139.

© Lincoln County News.