CVMA member and former president of CVMA Stanley Powell, DVM passed away on May 30, 2023. CVMA leaders and the Colorado veterinary community mourn his passing and extend condolences to his family.
Obituary
Dr. Stan Powell passed away with family by his side May 30, 2023.
Stanley Leon Powell was born April 4, 1944 to Cecil and Della Powell in Flagler, Colorado. He was the second child born in the family, with Kirby being the oldest, followed by Colleen and brothers Lynn and Bill. They lived in Bethune, Colorado until 1957 and moved to Walsh, CO until he graduated from high school in 1962.
During his childhood, Stan and his siblings enjoyed country life rich with adventure and mischief. He and his brothers hunted coyotes and bulldogged jackrabbits off the backs of their ponies. They once attempted to catch a skunk in a culvert to tame and keep as a pet.
As it turned out, that boy who aimed to befriend a skunk was destined to spend his life as a veterinarian. Stan had a big heart, and made a meaningful life of caring for his community and their animals.
Stan met the love of his life, Sharon Cook, in school in Walsh, where they both graduated and went on to CSU. They married in 1966 and would have been married 57 years this September. Stan and Sharon were blessed with two boys, TJ and LD.
They moved to Bethune in 1968, when Stan started working with Dr. Milton Vondy, where he practiced for 55 years. Stan was devoted as a veterinarian, he serviced a wide range of clients in eastern Colorado and western Kansas. He frequently did preg checks and served as the vet on Thursdays at the Sale Barn.
He was recognizable with his Resistol cowboy hat, black in the winter and straw in the summer. He’d sometimes drive upward of 500 miles a day. He often offered free consultations, teaching on a phone call or a visit over a Budweiser.
For fun, Stan loved participating in the Colorado Veterinary Medical Association (CVMA) Team Roping Events. He was many times a champion as a header and heeler. He was also the CVMA president from 1990 to 1991.
Stan consistently gave his time to the community. Every year he served as the vet on call at the Kit Carson County Fair & Rodeo. Stan and Dr. Vondy were recipients of the Kit Carson County Iron Horse Award in 2017, and he received the Service Above Self Award from Burlington Rotary Club in 2019.
One of his greatest accomplishments in life was becoming a grandpa. Hadley Tee was born in 2009, and he loved spending time with her. The first couple of years after she was born he would stop by on Saturday mornings to play with her or hold her for a while. As she grew up he spent many days at the barn with her hanging with the donkey Sam or trying to get “Gertie” broke so he could teach her to ride. He also helped her with her sheep and loved to go watch her at her many activities.
Stan is preceded in death by his loving wife, Sharon Powell, his parents Cecil and Della Powell and in-laws Roland and Cecil Fern Cook, his brother Bill Powell, and his niece Tatum Cook.
Those left to mourn him are sons TJ Powell (English), LD Powell (DeShane), granddaughter Hadley Powell, brothers Kirby Powell (Marge), Lynn Powell (Maria), sister Colleen Mailhot (Dick), sister-in-law Charolotte Desilet (Ron), brother-in-law Danny Cook (Lori) and many nieces and nephews.
A public visitation was held on Thursday June 8 at Love Funeral Home Chapel in Burlington, Colorado. A funeral service will be held at 10 a.m. June 9 at the Kit Carson County Fairgrounds with Pastor Bill Viergutz officiating. Interment will follow at Fairview Cemetery in Burlington, Colorado.
Memorials may be left at Love Funeral Home to be made to Dr. Stan Powell Memorial Scholarship Fund.
