KENNY PRESTON POWELL III

Kenny Preston Powell III was born December 16, 1944 in Chicago, Illinois, son of Kenny Preston Powell, Jr. and Lois (Wright) Powell. When Kenny’s father was killed in action during WWII in 1945, Kenny and his mother moved back to Lois’ hometown of Monroe, Louisiana where he spent the remainder of his youth. Kenny attended Grambling State University where he was at one time seeking a career in professional basketball and eventually moved to Chicago, Illinois as a young adult.

In 1970, Kenny married Kathy Hiveley of Fort Dodge, Iowa. This loving union of over 48 years was blessed with 8 children, Kenny IV (Lisa) Powell, of Panora, Iowa, Kane (Denice) Powell of Panora, Iowa, Kia (Philip) Hartweg of Fort Dodge, Iowa, Katie Powell of Des Moines, Iowa, Kaleb (Baem) Powell of Ankeny, Iowa, Kameron Powell of Des Moines, Iowa, Khristian (Alexis) Powell of Milford, Iowa and Konrad Powell of Ames, Iowa. Kenny’s earlier unions were also blessed with 3 children, Yolanda Mollique, Baytown, Texas, Dainmium (La’Trenda) Powell of Houston, Texas and Troy (Patricia) Harper of Fort Dodge, Iowa.

Kenny is also survived by many grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins and a sister, Wanda (Detrez) Thomas of Bossier City, Louisiana. He was preceded in death by his father, Kenny Preston Powell, Jr., his mother, Lois Powell, his stepfather, Mozell Smith and several aunts and uncles. Kenny was a devoted family man and he loved and treasured each one of them.

During his long and illustrious working career, Kenny excelled at many professions. He worked as a bank loan officer with The State Bank of Fort Dodge, a construction foreman with his father-in-law Clarence Hiveley, a Webster County meter reader for over 20 years with Iowa Illinois Gas and Electric/Mid-American Energy, the CEO of Sudsy Soapcakes – a family business, an independent salesman for Mannatech nutritional products, a Taekwondo Karate Instructor, co-owner of The Mill Health Food Store – a family business, a 15 year volunteer Webster County Reserve Deputy Sheriff and volunteer reserve officer on the Fort Dodge Police Department where, along with countless other duties, he logged thousands of miles transporting inmates and finally a security officer at Trinity Regional Hospital just before retirement. He was also chairman of the Fort Dodge Urban Ministry at one time and regularly attended Faith Baptist Church in Fort Dodge.

Kenny loved to dress up and in his later years was famously seen every day around town in a full suit and tie with freshly shined shoes. One of the few exceptions is when he would wear his infamous Superman t-shirt that his children gave him for when he mowed the lawn.

Kenny’s life was miraculously changed 40 years ago when he accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior. That change was reflected in the beautiful and self-sacrificing life that he lived.

A celebration of Kenny’s life will be at 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, November 14, at First Covenant Church with Pastor Craig Vote, Pastor Allan Redenius and Pastor Michael Crawford officiating. Interment will directly follow at Memorial Park Cemetery. Visitation is at First Covenant Church on Tuesday from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. Arrangements have been entrusted to Gunderson Funeral Home & Cremation Services.