Alvin Ira Powell

Alvin Ira Powell

June 12, 1942 - February 18, 2021

Alvin was born the third son of Roy Winford Powell and Helen Gertrude Shadrick Powell  in Klamath Falls, Oregon.  He was 78 years old.  He grew up in the small town of Keno, Oregon, where he attended elementary school. He graduated from Henley High School in 1960.  He enjoyed the freedom of growing up in a small town and had many adventures with his brothers, cousins and close friends.

Alvin worked with his father and brother, Delbert, in the water well drilling business for many years. He was drafted into the United States Army in January 1964 and was discharged in 1966. After working again in the well drilling business, he decided to take advantage of the GI Bill and attended college at Southern Oregon College in Ashland, OR.  He finished his degree in education at the University of Alaska Fairbanks after moving to Fairbanks with his first wife, Patti, in 1972.  He loved teaching and he loved his students.  He enjoyed seeing them as adults working around Fairbanks and was always happy to get a chance to catch up on their lives.  He was known to them as OMP (Old Man Powell).

Alvin married Carol Czillinger Platz in 1983 and became a stepfather to her three children.  He was a beloved grandfather of six and great grandfather of ten.  His wife and many of his family and friends referred to him simply as “Powell”.

Alvin loved singing and his booming voice could be heard echoing through the halls in every school where he taught; University Park, Woodriver, and Pearl Creek.  He was a member of the Great Land Sounds Men’s Barbershop Chorus and especially liked singing as a member of the quartet Chill Factor.  They performed in many Barbershop shows and around town.  His deep bass voice was very distinctive.  He’s surely singing in Heaven with all the guys from the Great Land Sounds that have gone before him.  Alvin also performed in over 20 Fairbanks Light Opera Theatre productions.

Another of his loves was travel. He and  Carol visited Europe, China, Turkey, Belize, Mexico, several states and other countries.  They especially enjoyed playing golf together and played whenever they could.

He is survived by his wife of 37 years, Carol; stepchildren, Kathy King (Bryan), Robert Platz, and Jimmie Platz; grandchildren, Heather Finney (Jason), Joshua Innes (Justine), JD Platz (Ashley), Danielle Innes (Joe), and Kaeli Innes; great grandchildren, Gabrielle Finney (Joe), Keegan Finney, Brenden Finney, Jeremyah Murphy, Lyndon Platz, Greyson Platz, Calvin Platz, Georgianna McCain, Evangeline McCain and Lakelin Innes; step grandson, John Innes (Stormie) and their sons, Jeremiah Innes (Lindsay), Alex Innes (Bobbi), Sheldon Innes (Chelsea) and their children.  Also nephew, Mike Powell (Christina); nieces, Deanna Pinkard (Bret), Lisa Passmore, (Lindsey) Lori Brown, (Tommy) Heidi Faulk (Mike) and their families; sister-in-law Marchia Powell. 

He was preceded in death by his parents, Roy Powell and Gertie Powell Howard, his brothers, George Powell and Delbert Powell, and granddaughter Rebbeca Platz.

A celebration of life will be held this summer.