"Dear Emory and Patti, It was such a honor to meet your father, Emory Senior, and share a zoom call with him during the pandemic to talk about his time in the service of our nation during WWII. After dialoguing with him, I was (once again) in awe of veterans like him and his generation. He was so humble and self effacing about his contributions, reserved his praise for others who didn't make it back, had a great sense of humor about his life in the Army (which all Soldiers appreciate) and after that incredible and difficult experience, resolved to live the best life possible. This included being a role model for all with his 67 year marriage to his sweetheart Alice, raising an incredible son, Emory, and sharing his life with him and his wonderful daughter in law Patti. I'm so grateful to have had the chance to meet him and hear his story and be inspired by his long life. The Vikings believed that when warriors died, they went to a place called Valhalla where they celebrated with all of the comrades and loved ones. Whether Valhalla or heaven, no doubt he is enjoying the long awaited reunion with Alice and his friends. Thank you for your service which ensured the freedoms we enjoy and thank you for the person you were, an inspiration to this generation of Soldiers and Americans. May God Bless you! Mick Nicholson and Norine MacDonald"
In loving memory of
Emory G. Powell
January 22, 1922 - March 3, 2022
Emory passed away peacefully at home in Canby, Oregon on Thursday, March 3, 2022, just weeks after celebrating his 100th birthday. Born in Westmont, NJ he graduated from Audubon High School where he was a key member of their championship swim team. Emory met his future wife of 67 years, Alice Wagner, at a dance, and they were married a year later, on October 17, 1942.
In February 1943, he was inducted into the US Army and after a year of basic training survived a perilous voyage to England on the Queen Mary in April 1944. Emory proudly served as an anti-aircraft gunner with Battery C 143rd AAA Battalion in WWII. His unit was immediately called into service for the London air defense and was the first unit to fire at the V1 rockets that the Germans launched against London before D Day. In June 1944, Emory landed on the shores of Normandy and continued protecting air bases throughout France and Germany before being honorably discharged in 1945.
Emory then settled in Blenheim, NJ and built the home that he and Alice lived in for 62 years and had a son (Emory Robert Powell) in 1949. Emory loved to take his wife dancing (they were a wonderful to watch), enjoyed managing his son's band, model railroading, and body surfing at the Jersey Shore. Emory retired from a family-owned business as a sheet metal worker in 1985.
In 2009, after the death of his wife, he moved to Oregon to live with his son and daughter-in-law, Emory and Patti Powell until his death.
He was an avid Philadelphia Eagles fan and was delighted to watch them finally win the Super Bowl in 2018.
Beloved husband of the late Alice C. Powell (nee Wagner) 67 years, devoted father of Emory Robert Powell and his wife Patti Powell. Beloved brother of the late Orville, Benjamin, and Clement Powell. Also survived by many nieces and nephews.
There will be a graveside service at 1pm on Monday, March 14, 2022 at St. Joseph's Cemetery in Chews Landing, NJ.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Emory's memory to the Wounded Warrior Project, PO Box 758516, Topeka, KS 66675-8516 (www.woundedwarriorproject.org)
Tributes
"Emory was the best brother in law. Every time when Alice and he came to visit it was enjoyable. My kids loved it too because he would it because he would tease them "