Erwin C. Powell

It is with deep sorrow that we mourn the passing of our beloved dad, Erwin Charles Powell, who left us on October 21, 2025, at the age of 101.

He was born on February 5, 1924, in Stockton, California to Isaac and Edith Powell. After graduating from high school, Erwin was drafted into the US Army Air Corps for WWII where he served from 1943 until his honorable discharge in 1945. During his military service, he was assigned to the 391st Bomb Group as a radioman/gunner on a B-26 Marauder bomber where he participated in 55 missions in the European Theater, 18 of which involved targets on French soil. He was recently celebrated and awarded France’s highest military decoration, the French Legion of Honor Medal, for his role in the nation’s liberation. After returning from the war, he met Nancy Ormsby, and they were married on May 18, 1947. They moved to San Jose, California to raise their family. In 1984, they moved to northern Nevada and enjoyed many years there. Erwin lived a simple and humble life working as an office manager, tax preparer and volunteer. Upon retirement, Erwin and Nancy were active in the Methodist church in both Gardnerville and Sparks, Nevada. They also enjoyed traveling throughout the 48 contiguous states in an RV. Erwin volunteered as an accountant for the Methodist Church’s Extension Society that covered much of northern Nevada and northern California. He also volunteered at the local VFW, and at both the Sparks, Nevada and Arvada, Colorado historical societies. In his spare time, Erwin enjoyed playing card games, dominos, working on jigsaw puzzles, playing bingo and wearing humorous t-shirts.

Erwin is survived by his five children and their spouses: Edward Powell, Nicolas Powell (Crystal Blake), Dean Powell (Lynn), Sharon Skrydlak (Mike), Diane Georgia (Tom); his five grandchildren and their spouses: Alex Skrydlak (Kindra), Will Skrydlak (Sarah Huckaby), Jake Skrydlak, Darren Georgia and Emily Georgia; and his three great-grandchildren, as well as many dear friends and extended family who will deeply miss him. He was preceded in death by his wife of 66 years, Nancy Powell.

A funeral service will be held at Arvada United Methodist Church on Saturday, November 8, 2025, at 1:00 PM. A military burial will occur in the spring at the Northern Nevada Veterans Memorial Cemetery, where he will be reunited with Nancy.

The family requests that, in lieu of flowers or donations, you please honor Erwin’s legacy by volunteering at a local charity, taking the time to listen and be present in conversations with all people, be kind and live in the moment.