Harry Clay Powell Jr.

Clay passed away in Anchorage on June 7, 2016, at the age of 71. Born on April 23, 1945 in Elizabeth, New Jersey, he was the only child of Harry Clay and Evelyn Lewis Powell and lived his childhood years in Virginia and Maryland. He loved playing baseball and was a 1963 graduate of Chestertown High School in Maryland. Clay joined the Air Force on October 3, 1963 and after basic training was assigned to Spangdahlem Air Base in Germany. While home on leave in November 1964 he met Sarah, the love of his life, and their 51½ years of marriage started on January 6, 1965.Together Clay and Sarah, and eventually their three boys, traveled around the globe with notable stops in the Philippines (twice), Illinois, Delaware and Eielson AFB. They eventually ended the ride at Elmendorf AFB where Clay, a paralegal, retired in 1985 as a Master Sergeant. Clay’s career after the Air Force featured stints with the Alaska Railroad and as a civilian on Fort Richardson. He finally found a home at the U.S. Attorney’s office where he stayed until retirement in 2006. He was preceded in death by his father and mother and is survived by his wife, Sarah Powell; sons and daughters-in-law, Kevin and Cindy Powell, Kenn Powell, and Keith and Kristi Powell; two grandchildren Keaton and Karah; and his Alaska daughter Vicki Paddock. A Celebration of Life and a brief service will be held in the Valley at Wasilla Bible Church, 1651 W. Nicola Ave., on September 10, 2016 at 1 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that a contribution be made to a cancer organization that offers support and services in your area.