Obituary for Donald Alan Powell

Donald Alan Powell, true Rocky Mountain Man and longtime resident of Colorado Springs, passed away Monday the 21st of May in Teller County, Colorado.

Born on October 25th, 1954 in Anniston, Alabama to loving parents Arthur James Powell and Iris Faye Johnson, Don was destined for a life fully lived. His early years were spent running through fields in the German countryside, building treehouses with best friends, and learning what it meant to be the kind, playful, wholehearted man he continued to be throughout his life. At the age of 20, in 1974, he enlisted into the United States Air Force in Atlanta, Georgia and received Airman and SGT status in Geospatial Intelligence as an Aerial Imagery Interpreter. He received an honorable discharge in 1979 after years on both US and foreign land, as well as in air and on sea with his top secret clearance. He then completed a Bachelor of Science in Business Communication from the University of Colorado at Boulder. Don began his career in insurance and investigation soon after at State Farm, and continued on to USAA, dedicating over 25 years as a leading member of the Special Investigations Unit. 

Don was a committed son, brother, father, and friend. His immediate surviving family includes his son Wesley Aaron Powell (Loveland, CO), daughter Kori Breann Powell (S.E. Asia), mother Iris Faye Johnson (Milton, FL), brother Randy Powell (Phoenix, AZ), sisters Teresa Powell (Atlanta, GA), Alicia Cochran (Milton, FL), and Lorri Confusione (Pace, FL), nephew Blake Cochran (Pensacola, FL), and niece Olivia Confusione (Pace, FL). He was preceded in death by father Arthur James Powell, Green Beret in the Special Forces, who passed away in November of 2015 (Ft. Worth, TX). 

Don experienced a multitude of cultures and lifestyles growing up, and he continued a life full of adventure and passion with his family, personal accomplishments, and strong friendships. His attention to detail and extreme focus, some may call it OCD, helped him to not only take huge risks, but to follow through with these dreams, in spite of deep depression, in a courageous manner. His recent achievements include becoming a Master Scuba Diver and instructor, becoming a race car driver and member of the Porsche Club of America, 3 Gun competitor with his son, and his avid love for nature took him deep into the mountains any chance he got. He had an adoration for animals which he could not keep hidden. His three fur babies, golden retrievers Rusty, Patch, and Brinkley, were a tremendously huge part of his life. 

In an effort to create discussions about depression and mental health, and to prevent further loss and save a life, we encourage you to reach out and welcome you to send donations to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention at https://afsp.org/our-work/chapters/

Don was able to feel, share, and experience more love than most people will ever know in one lifetime, and through his death, he continues to show us what is truly important.