Richard Lee Powers

Richard Lee (Dick) Powers, 76, died at home Friday evening October 12th in Golden, Colorado following a lengthy illness.

Dick was born on May 19th, 1931 in Sampsel, Missouri to Marvin and Helen Powers.

He married his first wife, Patricia Jean Cullen on 5-10-51 and had three children; Ronald Lee, Deborah Gail, and Sherri Lynn, and four grandchildren, Justin, Shaun, Karie Jo and Kimberly, all of Colorado. They were married for 43 years before her death in 1994.

His parents, two sisters, and his first wife preceded him in death.

He remarried in 1999 to Doris McNeill. She brought to the marriage two children; Timothy Shepler of Las Vegas, NV, Desiree Douglas of Valdosta, GA, three grandchildren Stephanie, Alexandria and Melanie-Ann and one great-grandson Izyiah.

In addition to his loving wife Doris, his children and grandchildren, his sister, Marjorie Konnecke of Orange, CA and two nieces and a nephew also survive him.

Dick was a surveyor for James L. Bell before purchasing the company in the late 50's and changing the name to Bell Surveying and Engineering. He sold the company in the late 80's to pursue his passion in life, which was ranching. Although he never achieved his dream of owning a large ranch, he did buy land in Arvada and built an arena where he raised horses and cattle, boarded horses, and held team pinning events on weekends. He sold the arena shortly after the death of his first wife.

While married to Doris his passions were gardening, wine making and traveling. Dick, Doris and their dog, Kodi, explored the country in a travel trailer, fishing along the way.

He was a man with a big heart, many friends, and a family who loved him dearly. His one wish before he died was that "A big party be held after his service, serving his homemade wine."

The family would like to thank The Denver Hospice Team who so thoughtfully helped the family through his illness. In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate donations be made to The Denver Hospice 501 S. Cherry St., Ste. 700 Denver, CO 80246.

Last Cowboy

When they tell me he's gone, I might cry.
When they tell me he's gone, my heart will sting.
I'll want to breathe the fresh air and see the blue sky, so I can think of him.

I'll picture him on a horse out on the range with Colorado sky overhead.
I'll picture him with a smoke in his mouth and his hat tipped over one eye winking back.

If they ask me who he was, I'll say stubborn,
straightforward, prideful, and could be kind.
You wouldn't understand unless you knew him, but I'll say he was a friend of mine.

He was quite private about inner things
And he'd laugh at you when he rattled your cage
He was the last cowboy in my family and he told me things I'll never forget.

I'll picture him on a horse out on the range with Colorado sky overhead.
I'll picture him with a smoke in his mouth and his hat tipped over one eye winking back.

He spent his life trying to provide for his family
And maybe he left a hair too soon
But he had peace in his heart and really
That's all we can ask for too.

So picture him on a horse out on the range with Colorado sky overhead.
I'll picture him with a smoke in his mouth and his hat tipped over one eye winking back.

When they tell me he's gone, I might cry
When they tell me he's gone, my heart will sting
I'll want to breathe the fresh air and see the blue sky, so I can think of him.