Zack Powell dead at 63

With the exception of one year coaching and teaching at Maysville, Zack Powell was all Wayne Bulldog.

Powell died suddenly Saturday night, February 1, at his home leaving his wife of 34 years, Marla.

Funeral services were held Wednesday, February 5, at the First Baptist Church in Purcell with interment in the Paoli Cemetery under the direction of Wilson-Little Funeral Home.

Powell is also survived by his sons, Eric Powell and wife Angie of Lexington and Jordan Powell of Lexington and three grandchildren, Blake Powell, Gracie Powell and Mason Powell.

Also surviving are his sister, Rebecca Jones and brother, John Powell and wife, Dana, all of Wayne.

Powell was born May 23, 1956 in Pauls Valley. His devotion to his family knew no bounds. Through this, he was the tie that kept the family together.

A 1974 graduate of Wayne High School, Powell taught, coached and was an administrator at Wayne Schools for 34 years, serving as superintendent for the last 24 years of his career.

During his tenure at Wayne there were numerous advancements in the academic and athletic programs. His proudest moment was having the new football stadium named in his honor last fall.

He met his future wife Marla, who was working at Dr. Glenn Mead’s office when Powell had a toothache.

He told The Register he was smart enough to ask her out for a date.

In addition to his family, Zack was devoted to a cadre of friends, many of who he had known since childhood. He viewed these friends as extensions of his immediate family.

Through his care of the sick, his ongoing role as a counselor to the troubled of spirit and his many charitable gifts, Zack made all those around him better for having known him.

A life-long member of the Church of Christ in Wayne, Zack believed in the power of love to bring about real change in people’s lives.

An honor student at the University of Oklahoma, Zack obtained both his Bachelors and Master’s degrees in education.

Powell remained a mainstay in the community still calling football games as the public address announcer this past fall in the stadium named in his honor.