Alva Lee Powell

Alva Lee Powell, 97, Paola, passed away July 12, 2010, at his home. Alva Lee was born December 5, 1912, in the mining camp of Liberty, Colorado. He was the son of Joseph Andrew and Myrtle Ione Stevenson Powell. He and his brother and three sisters were orphaned when his parents died within 3 months of each other in 1920. He spent 3 years in Hooper, Colorado with his maternal uncles before moving to Bucyrus, Kansas at age 11 to live with his paternal aunt Lula Powell Phillips and her husband Jorva Phillips. He graduated from Bucyrus High School in 1931. After graduation he joined his uncle in a farm and cattle operation. Mr. Powell continued in the farming and ranching business until he rented out his land in 1978. During his years of farming, he served 6 years as Supervisor of the Miami County Soil Conservation District. Alva Lee believed in being involved in his community and county. He was a dedicated public servant. He was active in Ten Mil Township, serving as treasurer for several terms and precinct committeeman for 12 years. In 1966 he was elected the 15th District Representative to the Kansas House of Representatives. He served the people of Miami County in the House of Representative for 12 years. Alva Lee was a well known Democrat, but he used his friendships among both Democrats and Republicans to create bipartisan legislation. He, along with local leaders, obtained the legislation needed to create the new US Highway 169 corridor. He also was responsible for the creation of legislation that allowed the issuance of bonds to remodel the Miami County Court House in 1977. In his 12 years in the House, he served on many committees. In particular, he chaired the Select Committee on Use Value Appraisal which created the laws for agricultural use value appraisal. He also set on special committees for Legislative. Judicial and Congressional Appointment. He was selected by the House of to be its representative to the Human Resources Committee of the Midwestern Conference of the Council of State Governments. In addition to his farming interest and public service, he served as an active member on the Board of Directors of the First National Bank, Louisburg, Kansas for over 30 years. He was united in marriage to June Shinkle Nicholson on December 27, 1970, in Fort Myers, Florida. The made their home first in Bucyrus, Kansas before building their house in Paola in 1975. He was a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Paola; the Paola Country Club; Spring Hill Lions Club for 46 years; a 62 year member of the Spring Hill Masonic Lodge, serving as a Past Master and treasurer of the lodge, and 32nd degree Mason and a member Scottish Rite for 52 years. Alva lee enjoyed life in general. He enjoyed his marriage to June, his step sons and all his family members and friends. He enjoyed sports. His hobbies included golf (played until age 96), fishing, hunting and playing cards. He enjoyed traveling the world over with his and wintering in Fort Myers, Florida for 21 years. He was preceded in death by his parents, his Aunt Lula and Uncle Jorva Phillips, his three sisters, Maxine Williams, Zelma Trolan and Hilda Denniss and his brother Jim Galley and his niece, Barbara Lloyd. He is survived by his wife of 39 years, two step sons, John R. Nicholson and his wife Patty of Overland Park, Kansas, and Robert I. Nicholson, Jr. and his wife Kathy of Paola, Kansas, 6 grandchildren and 9 great grandchildren. He is also survived by two nephews, Jim Trolan of Concord, California, and John Galley of Soldotna, Alaska and one niece, Linda Worden of Rosamond, California. The family requests, in leiu of flowers, that donations be made to the First Presbyterian Church of Paola. First Presbyterian Church of Paola Service: Thursday, July 15, 2010 2:00 PM Visitation: Thursday, July 15, 2010 1:00 PM to 1:45 PM