Frank Powell

Franklin W. Powell, 85, passed away on Thursday, June 22, 2017. Frank was born on August 18th, 1931 to C.E. (Tim) Powell and his wife, Ethel Wilkins Powell, in Monroe, Louisiana. Frank was a loving husband and father of 5 children. As a child, he lived in several towns in Oklahoma and the Texas Panhandle before moving to Tulsa in 1945. He graduated in 1949 from Will Rogers High School in Tulsa. There, he met and married Ethel O'Brien, his wife of 63 years. After moving to Norman, Oklahoma and then to Marietta, Georgia, Frank and his family settled in Arlington, Texas in 1966 where he lived the last 50 years. Frank loved airplanes and travelling. With his sense of adventure he was eager to go to new places and try new things. He travelled all over the US, Central America and Europe with his family and friends. Frank was a private pilot for a number of years. He loved to go to air shows, hang out at Grand Prairie Airport and fly his Cessna 150 with family and friends. Frank's love of airplanes started as child and led to a long career in the aerospace industry. He worked in aerospace design, mechanical engineering and as a manager for several major aerospace companies including Aero Commander, Lockheed, LTV and American EuroCopter. In addition, he was an engineering manager for ARA (automotive air conditioning) in Grand Prairie for a number of years. Frank's passion for flying, aircraft and his ability to reason through problems to find solutions led to many significant accomplishments. Frank had a great sense of humor and was always eager to engage in conversation with friends and strangers alike. Even in his final days he was telling jokes and keeping things lively. Frank is survived by his wife Ethel Mae O'Brien Powell and his five children and their spouses: Joan Powell Des Rochers and husband Mark Des Rochers of Arlington, Texas, Timothy Powell and wife Vivian Fredericks Powell of College Station, Texas, Christopher Powell and wife Karen Brake Powell of Mansfield, Texas, Steven Powell and wife Renee Bradley Powell of Fairview, Texas and Nancy Powell Wilkinson and husband Gregg Wilkinson of DalWorthington Gardens, Texas. Frank had 13 grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren. Frank is also survived by his sister Harriet Powell Smith and her family who reside in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Wade Family Funeral Home 817-274-9233