Roger Powell

Roger W Powell went home to be with his Heavenly Father on March 14 at the age of 83 with family at his side. He was born on January 4, 1942 in Cleveland, Ohio and grew up in Kirtland, Ohio. He graduated from Kirtland High School in 1960 and joined the Navy in 1961. He was a photographer stationed in Pensacola, Florida and Norfolk, Virginia and honorably discharged in 1964.

In April of 1963, he married his high school sweetheart, Dorothy Baker. After the Navy they settled briefly in Cleveland Heights before moving to Mentor, Ohio where they raised their daughters, Becky and Debbie.

Roger’s career spanned 30 years as a news photographer for WJW, channel 8 in Cleveland. His best times were traveling Ohio with Neil Zurcher on his One Tank Trips.

Roger has always been a sportsman and hunter, exploring the outdoors and teaching hunter safety courses. He was a member of Weslaco Sportsman

Club and enjoyed several hunting and horseback trips to Montana and Wyoming. In later years he enjoyed trips to “The Mountain” with brother Bruce and friends where they worked and played and hunted.

Music has always been foundational to Roger, playing trombone in the high school band, singing in church choirs, playing piano and singing Bass with the Johnnycake Ridge Singers barbershop chorus.

In 2006 he and his wife Dottie retired to Tellico Village where they were active playing cards with friends. They were members of Tellico Village Community Church where he participated in choir and small ensemble music. In 2022, they moved closer to Becky, living at Stone Oak Independent living in Hilliard where Roger enjoyed billiards, happy hour and being the emcee for the variety show.

He is preceded in death by his parents Richard Wheeler Powell, Elizabeth Leona Welk and his daughter Deborah Hermann. He is survived by his loving wife Dottie of 62 years, his daughter Becky Rehbeck (Matt), son in law Anthony Hermann, brothers Bruce Powell (Kathy), Tim Powell (Jean), Grandchildren, Kaitlyn (Kyle), Luke (Laura), Abby, Sammy & Jacob, Great grandson Will and nieces and nephews.

Calling hours will be 10:00 am - Noon on March 19 with a Celebration of Life to follow at Northwest United Methodist Church 5200 Riverside Dr. Columbus, Ohio 43220. A light lunch to follow in Fellowship Hall. A short graveside service will be Thursday March 20, 1:00 pm at the Western Reserve Memorial Gardens 11521 Chillicothe Rd. Chesterland, Ohio 44026

In lieu of flowers, contributions to honor Roger’s life can be made to Northwest United Methodist Church’s music department, 5200 Riverside Dr, Columbus, Ohio 43220.