Gregory Powell
March 25th, 1954 - September 16th, 2024
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Gregory's Obituary
Gregory Ross Powell of St. Joseph was born in Lansing, Michigan on March 25, 1954. He graduated from Western Michigan University where he met his wife of 47 years, Victoria Rosemary Ann Born. Greg spent his early years teaching Vocational Education at Blossomland Learning Center. He then entered the building business via employment at Glenlord Home Center and Superior Builders. Greg eventually started his own company, Powell Construction Services. He built custom homes over the next 20 years, including many of those in the Harbor Shores community. Greg was the first NAHB Certified Green Builder in Southwest Michigan.
Greg was active in many professional organizations including Board Member and President of Southwest Michigan Home Builders Association, President of the Michigan Home Builders Association, and Board of Directors of the National Association of Home Builders. He was the governor appointee to the Housing Research Center as well as the Residential Builders and Maintenance and Alteration Contractors Board. Greg served on the St. Joseph Township Planning Commission and Zoning Board of Appeals.
Community organizations included serving on the Board of Directors of Cornerstone Alliance. In recent years his heart was in the Cycle-Re-Cycle nonprofit bicycle shop where he served on the Board and spent many hours fixing bicycles. Greg attended Fairplain Presbyterian Church for the past 37 years where he served as an Elder and Deacon and an informal consultant on many building issues. He more recently attended First Presbyterian Church in Benton Harbor.
Over the years Greg enjoyed working on motorcycles, cars, bicycles, woodworking in his shop, and camping with his family. He was very proud of his involvement as both a Boy Scout, Scout Master and being an Eagle Scout. He took a solo ride cross country on his Harley Davidson and crossed through 34 states.
Greg is survived by his wife, Victoria; son, Peter Gregory Born-Powell (wife Libby Slaski); daughter, Rosemary Ann Lemley (husband Aaron); brothers, Gary and Ted Powell (wife Helena) and stepmother, Dona Powell. He was preceded in death by his mother, Mary Cecilia Powell and father, Edward Ross Powell.
Greg died on September 16, 2024 after a long battle with Parkinson’s Disease. His body will be cremated. Visitation will be the evening of Wednesday, October 2 from 6:00 – 8:00 PM at Starks & Menchinger Chapel, 2650 Niles Rd., St. Joseph, MI 49085, 269-556-9450. A Memorial Service will not be held until the following month on Saturday, November 9 at 1:00 at First Presbyterian Church (475 Green Ave, Benton Harbor, MI 49022). Memorial contributions may be made to the First Presbyterian Church, Cycle-Re-Cycle of Benton Harbor, or the Michigan Parkinson Foundation. Please feel free to share a memory with the family online at www.starks-menchinger.com.
Greg was active in many professional organizations including Board Member and President of Southwest Michigan Home Builders Association, President of the Michigan Home Builders Association, and Board of Directors of the National Association of Home Builders. He was the governor appointee to the Housing Research Center as well as the Residential Builders and Maintenance and Alteration Contractors Board. Greg served on the St. Joseph Township Planning Commission and Zoning Board of Appeals.
Community organizations included serving on the Board of Directors of Cornerstone Alliance. In recent years his heart was in the Cycle-Re-Cycle nonprofit bicycle shop where he served on the Board and spent many hours fixing bicycles. Greg attended Fairplain Presbyterian Church for the past 37 years where he served as an Elder and Deacon and an informal consultant on many building issues. He more recently attended First Presbyterian Church in Benton Harbor.
Over the years Greg enjoyed working on motorcycles, cars, bicycles, woodworking in his shop, and camping with his family. He was very proud of his involvement as both a Boy Scout, Scout Master and being an Eagle Scout. He took a solo ride cross country on his Harley Davidson and crossed through 34 states.
Greg is survived by his wife, Victoria; son, Peter Gregory Born-Powell (wife Libby Slaski); daughter, Rosemary Ann Lemley (husband Aaron); brothers, Gary and Ted Powell (wife Helena) and stepmother, Dona Powell. He was preceded in death by his mother, Mary Cecilia Powell and father, Edward Ross Powell.
Greg died on September 16, 2024 after a long battle with Parkinson’s Disease. His body will be cremated. Visitation will be the evening of Wednesday, October 2 from 6:00 – 8:00 PM at Starks & Menchinger Chapel, 2650 Niles Rd., St. Joseph, MI 49085, 269-556-9450. A Memorial Service will not be held until the following month on Saturday, November 9 at 1:00 at First Presbyterian Church (475 Green Ave, Benton Harbor, MI 49022). Memorial contributions may be made to the First Presbyterian Church, Cycle-Re-Cycle of Benton Harbor, or the Michigan Parkinson Foundation. Please feel free to share a memory with the family online at www.starks-menchinger.com.
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