Michael "Pappy" Alan Powell

Michael Alan “Pappy” Powell, Chef extraordinaire, comedian, voted World’s Best Pappy and accomplished traveler died Thursday May 29th at Riverside Hospital in Columbus.

Born April 14th, 1956, six week early, he was a tough survivor from day one. He was happy to be surrounded by the many women of his family. His mother, Evelyn (Powell) Milliron, survives and taught him the importance of church. His first wife, Tina Warren, gave him his only daughter, Amber Powell (Allan Hite). Amber’s daughters: Serenity, Izabella and Faye were bragged about often.

His second wife, Kim Powell, remained his “Kimmy” until the end. Their son, McCray, received Michael’s quick wit, flat feet and gorgeous head of hair. Michael’s non-biologicals, as he lovingly called his step-daughters, are CoeDee (Mike) Burba and Schuyler (Kevin) Simons, he thought one was a “blonde, through and through” and the other “the world’s best nurse”. His non-biological grandsons, Beau and Cade Burba, loved to play zombie tag and play at the Fun Barn with their Pappy.

As a child, Michael loved swimming, fishing and camping with his older brother, Don (Brenda Kasler) and younger brother, Gary. His nieces and nephews will miss their Uncle Mike.

He was preceded in death by: his Mom-Ma, Elsie (McCray) Kesterson, father, Alvin Powell Jr., and stepfather, Johnnie Milliron.

After attending Nelsonville-York, Michael joined the Navy during the Vietnam Era and was stationed in Italy. He earned a culinary degree from Hocking College and was a chef at Riviera Country Club under Executive Chef Rodney Probst in Columbus. Michael was also a chef at Hurricane Resort in St. Petersburg, Florida. He was known to make one mean pot of potato soup.

He loved (in no particular order) his family, being a grandfather, traveling all over the South, making fun of himself, church, strong coffee, watching his grandsons’ sporting events, dressing like a hipster, being a band dad at Nelsonville-York band camp, the singer, Pink, and eating at Tammy’s where he never met a stranger.

Michael wasn’t overly fond of Kizzie, the devil dog of Carbon Hill, though recently they’d overcome their differences and become pals. He was always optimistic and humorous; even cancer couldn’t extinguish his free spirit and fun loving personality.

“PeeWee” will be especially missed by close friends: Sam Kinnison, Sonya Hook, Scott “Brownie” Andrews, Becky Nulf, Tracy Pettet, and Karen K. Lanning.

Funeral services will be held 1 p.m., Tuesday, June 3, 2014 in the Nelsonville Wesleyan Church, with Pastor Mike Thomas officiating. Interment will be in Carbon Hill Cemetery, Carbon Hill at a later date. Friends may call at the Souers-Cardaras Funeral Home, 46 Fayette St., Nelsonville, on Monday, from 5-8 p.m. and on Tuesday, one hour prior to the service at the church.

Please sign his online guestbook at www.cardaras.com