Ray Powell

Ray Powell, 66, Jackson passed away Sunday, May 25, 2008, at Southeast Missouri Hospital in Cape Girardeau.

He was born Jan. 19, 1942, in Ironton, Mo., son of William A. and Marjorie J. Parker Powell. He and Barbara Rauh were married March 9, 1992, in Benton, Mo.

Ray attended Fredericktown High School. He and his brother, Jerry, owned and operated the former Jerry and Ray's Standard Service Station in Fredericktown. Drag racing was one of his favorite hobbies.

In 1961 he moved to Jackson. He worked at the former Jackson Hosiery Mill, Yamnitz Auto and the former J-R Automotive. For the past 25 years he owned and operated Powell Automotive in Jackson.

Ray was an avid hunter and fisherman. He was a member of the local Elks Lodge many years, as well as a member of the Town Board of Pocahontas the past several years.

Ray is known by his family and friends as a rescuer of animals. For a number of years one of Ray's best friends was Fred the groundhog, who lived on the hillside behind First Baptist Church. In addition to caring for wild animals, Ray rescued numerous cats and dogs and of course kept them as his pets.

Loving survivors include his wife; two sons, Stephen (Maureen) Powell of St. Peters, Mo., Mark (Amy) Powell of Jackson; three brothers, Jerry (Mary Jo) Powell of Morse Mills, Mo., Gary Powell of Millersville, Myron (Debbie) Powell of Cedar Hill, Mo.; a sister-in-law, Sue Powell of Dittmer, Mo.; a granddaughter, Stefanie Rae Powell of Columbia, Mo.; and a grandson, Devin Stone of Jackson.

He was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, Billy Powell of Fredericktown and Ed Powell of Dittmer.

Friends may call today from 4 to 8 p.m. at McCombs Funeral Home in Jackson.

The funeral will be at 1 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home, with the Rev. Rocky Tallent officiating. Interment will follow in Russell Heights Cemetery in Jackson.

Memorials may be made to Southeast Missouri Hospital Foundation Cancer Care or Barnes-Jewish Sigeman Cancer Center.

Sympathy messages may be sent to the family online at www.mccombsfuneralhome.com.