Carroll Powell, 72, of Amarillo died Saturday, Jan. 26, 2013.
Burial will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday in Cal Farley's Boys Ranch. Services will be follow at 3 p.m. in Saint Stephen United Methodist Church with Dr. Stan Cosby, the Rev. Ken Cole and Terri Powell, pastor, officiating. Arrangements are by Griggs-Schooler-Gordon Funeral Directors, 5400 S. Bell St.
Caroll was born Oct. 23, 1940, in Lubbock to Bryant and Florice Smith Powell. He was raised in Abernathy, where he played football, ran track and developed many lifelong friends. He attended West Texas State University and obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in art and physical education.
Fifty years to the day, he married Wanda Ryan on Jan. 26, 1963, in Ralls. It did not take them long to get to Cal Farley's Boys Ranch in the summer of 1964.
Mr. Powell was hired as a wrestling coach and art teacher. He fulfilled Cal Farley's dream of having a successful wrestling program, bringing two state championships in 1968 and 1969, and many individual champions. He was inducted into the Texas Interscholastic Wrestling Association Hall of Honor in 1997.
He spent more than 30 years at Boys Ranch, investing in young men doing everything from teaching kids how to swim, designing the roughrider for the BR brand and chaperoning proms, just to name a few.
Carroll was an accomplished Western artist in oil, acrylic, watercolor and bronze. His work was exhibited in shows throughout Texas, New Mexico, Arkansas and the capitol building in Washington, D.C.
Carroll never met a stranger and knew someone wherever he went. He loved spending hours visiting and sharing stories with childhood friends, his Boys Ranch family, the Wesley workers Sunday school class and gym friends.
He was preceded in death by his golf buddies, Ed Bawcom in 2006 and Gerald Watson in 2012.
Survivors include his wife, Wanda Powell of Amarillo; a daughter, Terri Powell of Amarillo; a son, Barry Powell and wife Jazan of Dallas; a granddaughter, Harper Powell of Dallas; two brothers, Reg Powell of Hot Springs, Ark., and Dale Powell of Abernathy; a sister, Kay Carter of Ruidoso, N.M.; and many nieces and nephews.
The family suggests memorials be to Cal Farley's Boys Ranch Alumni Association or Children's Building Fund at Saint Stephen United Methodist Church.
The family will receive guests from 6 to 8 p.m. today at the funeral home.