Harry Powell Obituary

Harry Douglas Powell

October 14, 1937 -

March 9, 2025

Harry Douglas Powell passed away on Sunday, March 9, 2025, at Colonial Hill Retirement Center from complications related to congestive heart failure. He was 87 years old.

Harry was born October 14, 1937, in Wilmington, NC. A proud native of Eastern North Carolina, he was the older son of George and Katie Powell and had a wonderful childhood in Wallace, NC, fishing, hunting, Scouting and otherwise enjoying nature and the outdoors. A lifelong Presbyterian, Wallace Presbyterian Church was a cornerstone of his family life growing up, which led him to be the first in the family to pursue an undergraduate degree at Davidson College, followed by a PhD in Physics at Clemson University. It was at a fraternity / sorority mixer between Davidson and Queens College in 1959 where he renewed an acquaintance with Janet Allison, of Rose Hill, NC, the neighboring town to Wallace. From then on, they shared life completely until her passing in 2018.

Harry joined the faculty of East Tennessee State University in 1965 with the Physics Department. He remained there until his retirement in 2002, having taught thousands of students throughout his tenure. He also pioneered the Astronomy program at ETSU and retired as the Director of the Harry D. Powell Observatory near the main ETSU campus. He brought the vision of a university observatory from a donated telescope in the middle of a cow pasture to the present day building complete with a dome holding a 14 inch Celestron telescope. He spent many chilly, clear nights teaching students and doing research on data gathered by the local telescopes as well as the Hubble Telescope.

He was very involved in the community of his adopted home in Johnson City, where he lived for nearly 65 years. He served Covenant Presbyterian Church in nearly every lay position, from mowing the church grounds to Clerk of Session and the Chair of the Building Committee that raised funds and brought to life the current sanctuary building. He always appreciated the lessons and friends in the "Questioners" Sunday School class, where classmates could explore their faith and doubts in equal measure.

Harry was an Eagle Scout and was a Scoutmaster of Troop 33 for many years. One of his greatest pleasures as a younger man was hiking in the mountains (or bushwacking with Dave Ingram!) in any season. He also volunteered with many groups over the years to try to help community members suffering from homelessness or addiction, as well as with Family Promise, the Johnson City Power Board, the Gray Fossil Site, the International Storytelling Center, and others.

Harry also loved landscaping his yard, woodworking, and other home projects, which he would execute with extreme precision! He would frequently visit his kids' homes with a tool box, ready to complete projects that, let's be honest, we would have never completed without him.

Harry and Janet took many international trips in their retirement and loved the friends and memories they made around the globe. He always cheered for the underdog and loved a comeback story. He was a kind and generous friend to all, always ready to help in any way or just share a hot cup of coffee and a conversation.

Harry and Janet were married in 1963 and are survived by their three children - Wade (Patty Burns) of Mount Vernon, OH, Douglas (Pegeen Reichert Powell) of Oak Park, IL and Allison (John Sharpe) of Asheville, NC. He is also survived by four grandchildren; Andrew Powell of Pasadena, CA; Sarah Powell of Fitchburg, MA; Charlie Reichert Powell of Baltimore, MD; Elizabeth Reichert Powell of Emory, VA; his brother, G. Louis "Bruz" Powell and wife Sylvia of Oak Ridge, TN; niece, Kimberly Powell Crapse and family of Aiken, SC; Cousin Clem Allison of Greeneville, TN and many other cousins around the country. Time with friends and family were paramount to his happiness, recalling to mind one of his favorite hymns, For the Beauty of the Earth: "For the Joys of Human Love, Brother, Sister, Parent, Child; Friends on Earth and Friends Above, For all Gentle Thoughts and Mild."

Our family wishes to extend heartfelt gratitude to Alena, Lindsey, Jennifer, Shannon, Holly, Emira, Starla, Heather, Caitlin, Jocelyn, Madison and the rest of the team at Colonial Hill Retirement Center. From the day Harry moved there in January 2020, the staff all treated him as a beloved family member and provided all of us with invaluable support in Dad's final years. Our thanks to all of them are too great to be measured.

The celebration of life service will be conducted Saturday, March 29, 2025, at 2:00 p.m. at Covenant Presbyterian Church, 603 Sunset Dr. Johnson City, TN 37604, with Rev. Maggie Rust and Rev. Paul Helphinstine, officiating.

The celebration will continue with a gathering of friends and family from 4:00-6:00 p.m. at Knob Creek Meadows, 3220 Knob Creek Rd. Gray, TN 37615. Bluegrass music, food and beverages will be provided. Casual dress is encouraged.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to Family Promise, Covenant Presbyterian Church or the International Storytelling Center.

Memories and condolences may be shared at www.tetrickfuneralservices.com.

Tetrick Funeral Services, Johnson City, is honored to serve the Powell family (423-610-7171).