Thomas "Tom" Powell

Thomas “Tom” Powell, 86, of Tecumseh, Oklahoma passed away Saturday, April 5, 2025 in Prague, Oklahoma.

He was born June 5, 1938 in Checotah, Oklahoma to James and Mary (Grimes) Powell.

Tom was raised in Checotah and attended Checotah Public Schools.  He was a graduate of Checotah High School.

He married Willa A. Stein on September 15, 1962 in Nicoma Park, Oklahoma.  After marriage they lived in Moore, Oklahoma until moving to Shreveport, LA, then later moving to Leander, Texas before settling Tecumseh in February 1980.

Tom proudly served his country in the United States Army with the 82nd Airborne Division for 3 years where the highlight of his career was when he marched in the inaugural parade for Dwight D. Eisenhower.

He worked at Pitney Bowes until he retired in 1994. Tom worked as a Fire Fighter in Leander, TX and in Law enforcement for many years with the Pottawatomie County Sheriff’s office, Citizen Potawatomi Police Department, Absentee Shawnee Police Department and Tecumseh Police Department.

Tom loved spoiling his grandchildren, working on vehicles, attending car shows, hunting and fishing and was an avid NASCAR fan.           

He was preceded in death by his wife loving wife of 60 years, Willa A. Powell on January 31, 2023; his parents; all of his siblings: and grandson, Tyler D. Smith.

Those left to cherish his memory are his daughter and son-in-law, Jeannette and Jerry Smith of Prague, OK; son and daughter-in-law, Barry and DeLynn Powell of Tecumseh, OK: 2 grandchildren, Kristen Bean and husband Randy and Robert Powell; 4 great-grandchildren, Aiden and Clayton Bean, Zealand and Waylon Powell and other extended family and friends.

Visitation will be from 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., Wednesday, April 9, 2025 and continue through service time with family present from 5:00 to 7:00 pm to greet friends and family at Cooper Funeral Home.  Service will be 2:00 p.m., Thursday, April 10, 2025 at Cooper Funeral Home Chapel with Chaplain Paul Brunson officiating.  Burial will follow at Prague Cemetery under the direction of Cooper Funeral Home of Tecumseh.