February 3, 1948 ~ April 6, 2020
Gale Edwin Powell, 72, of Cleveland, Oklahoma, passed from this life on April 6, 2020.
Gale was born on February 3, 1948, in Hominy, Oklahoma. He was the son of John Delbert and Ida Mae {Self) Powell. Gale was raised and received his education in Cleveland, later graduating from Cleveland High School with the Class of 1966. During his time in school, Gale was an active participant in Cleveland Tiger Athletics. Following high school, Gale furthered his education in Weatherford, Oklahoma, at Southwestern Oklahoma State University. He later moved back to Eastern Oklahoma, residing in Sapulpa.
Gale worked as a drug representative for McKesson and Robins for several years. During this time, he met Retha Kay McClure. The two were later united in marriage on July 25, 1969, in Sapulpa, Oklahoma. They established their first home in Sapulpa before moving to College Station, Texas, then later to Dallas, Texas. Gale accepted a position with Michelin Tire and moved to Midland, Texas, where he was a sales representative. In the early 1980s, Gale and Kay moved their family back to Oklahoma and resided in Cleveland, Oklahoma, where they have continued to live. Gale began driving a semi for OK Grains then soon was an owner/operator for Squaw Transit Trucking. He also worked for Stone Trucking before driving for Koch Industries when he retired in the late 1980s.
Gale loved spending time with his family. Being outdoors hunting and fishing with his children and grandchildren was a passion for Gale. Gale especially loved bird hunting with his family and got great joy out of taking his family pheasant hunting. This hobby also allowed Gale the opportunity to train the bird dogs that he raised. Gale liked watching sports, supporting the Cleveland Tigers and especially loved watching his grandchildren play for the Tigers. Holidays and home cooked meals where a way to bring the family he dearly loved together. Home cooking was a favorite of Gale's. He particularly loved fried chicken and his daughter, Stacy's, homemade apple pie. Gale was also a well-known pig breeder amongst those in the industry in the early 80's and late 90's and FFA and 4-H were very dear to Gale's heart. He and several others were personally responsible for the facilities that are South of Cleveland today. They established the Cleveland 4-H and FFA Booster Club, now known as the Cleveland Ag Booster Club, and secured the property, as well as helped, facilitate the current infrastructure.
Survivors include his wife Kay of the home, four children Stacy Blackburn and her husband Justin of Pawnee, Oklahoma, Chad Powell of Pawnee, Oklahoma, Brad Powell and his wife Penny of Cleveland, Oklahoma, Shannon Sallee and husband Clayton of Lincoln, Arkansas; two brothers Terry Powell and his wife Joan of Cleveland, Oklahoma, John Powell of Cleveland, Oklahoma; sister-in-law Judy Powell of Edmond, Oklahoma; five grandchildren Lindsey Blackburn of Pawnee, Oklahoma, Brock and Ethan Powell of Cleveland, Oklahoma, Gracelynn and Stockton Sallee of Lincoln, Arkansas and a host of other relative and friends. In addition to his parents, Gale was preceded in death by one brother Dr. Jack D. Powell. Funeral services will be held at a later date at the Terlton First Baptist Church. Private burial will be held in the Woodland Cemetery in Cleveland, Oklahoma. Chapman-Black Funeral Home will be in charge of the arrangements. The family has asked that in lieu of flowers, donations be made in Gale's name to the Terlton First Baptist Church or the Cleveland Ag Boosters. Friends and family may visit an online guest book and memorial page for Gale at www.chapman-black.com.