Obituary of Ronald "Bud" Powell

It is with profound sorrow that we announce the passing of former Dawson Creek City Councillor Ronald “Bud” Powell on July 2, 2022 at the age of 82 years.  He passed away peacefully in the Prince George hospital with his wife by his side. 

Bud was born June 23, 1940 in Dawson City, Yukon to parents Thomas William Powell and Dorothy Matilda (nee Humphrey), joining his older sister Maureen and later joined by his younger brother, Gary.  His early years were spent living on Hunker Creek in the gold fields of Dawson City hunting, fishing and home schooling.  They went to town only once a year, but things improved in later years when his father would say they could go to town when it warmed up to minus 40.  He took grades 11 to 13 in residence in Vancouver where he displayed his athleticism playing football. 

Bud started his working life early at the age of 14 as rod man for a surveying crew in the north.  His 33 year career with Mobil Oil started with being a cat skinner on the Dempster Highway to Inuvik.  He married his first wife Lorraine Gould in 1965 and their son Heath was born in Swift Current, Saskatchewan where Bud was promoted to production superintendent.  Later promotions led them to Whitecourt and then an overseas posting to Abu Dhabi where he was Oilfield Manager.  He was further posted to The Netherlands where he was Operations Manager in the building of an offshore platform.  His final posting was to Indonesia where he was in charge of exploration, punching an airport runway through the jungle.

Bud retired to Dawson Creek in 1996 where he married the love of his life, Muriel Fenton.  He became step-father to Muriel’s daughter Jennifer, age 9 at the time and they adored each other. 25 happy years were spent on their farm where he embraced the farming way of life learning how to hay, do fieldwork and all the chores involved in caring for their beloved animals.

In 1997 Bud bought The Mirror and ran it with his son Heath winning Business of the Year award that year. In 1998 they moved to their new location on Alaska Avenue, and sold the business to Hollinger newspapers in 2001.

In 1999 he was elected to City Council, a position he enjoyed for the next 12 years. He represented the City with passion and promoted it extensively through his work with Tourism, winning several awards.  Bud was awarded the Queen Elizabeth 11 Diamond Jubilee medal in 2012 for his contributions while on City Council.  He later served for a six year term on the Northern Lights College Board of Governors, and for many years on the board of Community Futures Development. 

Bud was an accomplished golfer, continuing his life-long passion for the sport to win several seniors’ club championships.  In their later retirement years Bud and Muriel learned to play bridge and enjoyed starting each day playing a two-handed version they developed.

He will be sadly missed by his wife Muriel Powell, son Heath Powell (Rose), step-daughter Jennifer Saunders, brother C. Gary Powell (Jan), brothers-in-law Alan Fenton (Betty), Bruce Fenton (Helen), Ray Fenton, (Marg), sister-in-law BettyAnn Fenton (Jim), grandchildren Katie Powell and Max Powell, nieces and nephews Mickey Lambert (Colleen), Christine Lambert, Jody Trudeau (Craig), Dusty Lambert (Jeannie), Chuck Powell  and Nina Powell (Dan).

He was predeceased by his parents, Thomas and Dorothy, his sister Maureen Lambert, brothers-in-law Al Lambert and Jim Fenton and sisters-in-law Jan Powell, Helen Fenton and Betty Fenton.

Bud's Celebration of Life will be a private family gathering at a later date. Condolences and special memories may be shared on the Reynar’s Funeral Home website.  For friends so wishing, donations may be made in memory of Bud to the charity of your choice.