Kenton James Powell

Funeral Service for Kenton J. Powell age 77 of Bella Vista, Arkansas will be 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, November 19, 2025 at St. Peter's Lutheran Church in Orchard, Nebraska. Burial will be at Orchard Hill Cemetery with Military Rites conducted by Orchard Legion Post #136. Visitation will be from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. an hour prior to service at St. Peter's Lutheran Church in Orchard. Snider Memorial Funeral Home is handling the arrangements. Kenton passed away at his home on November 13, 2025. Condolences may be directed to the family at www.snidermemorial.com

     Kenton James Powell lived a full and eventful 77 years prior to passing away on Thursday, November 13, 2025, while at home surrounded by his loved ones. Kenton’s journey started in Chicago where he was born on July 29, 1948 to Kenneth Theodore Powell and Gloria Faye (Birdsall) Powell. He was baptized on August 3, 1966 and confirmed on May 21, 1972. As a child, they moved to Missouri Valley, IA. Shortly thereafter he became the oldest of 4 boys while he learned how to be a big brother to Wayne, Steve, and Bruce Powell.

     In 1965, at the age of 17, during his Junior year in high school and while the Vietnam Conflict was in full swing, Kenton joined the US Navy with the permission of his dad. After bootcamp in Great Lakes, IL, he attended A-School in Milton, TN to become an Anti-Submarine Warfare Technician (ASW). After school he was assigned to the highly regarded Patrol Squadron VP-24 (nicknamed the “Batmen”) as an Airborne Electronic Technician and Operator stationed out of Patuxent River, MD. This was a sub-hunting airwing that operated in the Northern Atlantic Ocean. Coming from a small town in Iowa, his view of the world expanded. As an aircrewman that flew P3’s he made many flights and deployments out of the airbases located in Stavanger, Norway and Keflavik, Iceland where he made many memories. This enabled him to visit places such as Copenhagen, Denmark; Oslo, Bodo, & Andoya Norway; and Edinburg, Scotland. What most people may not know is that while in Azores, Portugal, he ‘Ran with the Bulls’. (This wasn’t his only experience with bulls. While in Durant, OK, he volunteered to ride a bull in a local rodeo!) Unsurprisingly, he enjoyed sharing these experiences with friends and family.

     After the navy he quickly began his career as a lineman with Northwestern Bell. While building a career, Kenton went on a double/blind date and ended up finding the love of his life, Marlene Jo Rabe. On April 24, 1971, they were married, and he continued his education at Buena Vista earning his Bachelor of Arts degree in Management Systems & Personnel. He also joined the Pottawattamie County Sheriff’s Department as a volunteer Special Deputy and over the course of 6 years he earned the rank of Sergeant. But it wasn’t all about work. During their life in Iowa, they also grew their family and ended up with 1 daughter and 2 sons. Life was good, but 8 years later they were presented with a new career opportunity with Southwestern Bell Telephone and in January 1982 they relocated to Oklahoma. Over the course of the next 6 years he was promoted 3 times which required the family to relocate each time. By 1987 he settled in Lawton, OK as the Southwestern Oklahoma District Manager of Cable Repair. He was responsible for an area that consisted of 15 towns, 2 major military installations, and covered appx 25% of the state. While in Lawton he was very active in the community. Quickly after moving to Lawton, he joined the Telephone Pioneers of America (Chapter 41) (the world's largest industry-related volunteer organization). He quickly became the Treasurer, then Vice-President, and President of the local chapter. In this role he helped lead many service related projects and fundraisers. He spent a total of 16 years in Oklahoma, before moving for a short period to Little Rock, AR, then Topeka, KS. In 2001, he retired after 31 years. Kenton and Marlene then moved to Bella Vista, AR, where they enjoyed retirement living in a community filled with fishing and group events. He was also active in the church and started the Senior Ministry Group.

     Throughout his life, Kenton was passionate about fishing and hunting and thoroughly enjoyed spending time on the lake with his family and friends. Kenton lived a life of integrity, character, and a desire to help others. He was always the person you could count on to brighten a sad situation with a smile and the ability to crack a joke at just the right time. He was proud of his 3 children and had no reservations about telling them. Kenton was loved tremendously by his family and will be missed greatly. His walk with the Lord on Earth is over, he is now face to face with Jesus.

     Kenton is survived by his wife of 54 years, Marlene, children David (Michelle) Powell, Amanda (Ron) Henderson, and Aaron (Elena) Powell; 8 grandchildren; Eric, Samantha, Remington, Madisyn, Natalie, Elizabeth, Wyatt, and Guinevere; 3 great-grandchildren; Two brothers Steve (Julie) Powell, and Bruce (Jill) Powell; two sisters-in-law Deb Powell and Cindy Osborne; and many nieces, nephews, and other family members. He was preceded in death by his parents, Kenneth Powell and Gloria Powell, and his brother Wayne Powell.

Kenton’s favorite Bible Verse:

Joshua 1-9: Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord his God is with him wherever you go”

Kenton’s favorite thing to say:

“Even after 54 years of marriage your mom and I could still make each other laugh.”

“Every day is a Blessing, no matter how bad you feel.”