Kevin Cleston Powell

Kevin Cleston Powell (K9) passed away July 4th, 2025. Kevin was born October 5, 1959, in Salt Lake City, Utah, to Merlyn and Marlene Powell. He was the second of ten children. The family lived in Bountiful until Kevin was 10 years old, then moved to Millville, where several family members still reside.

Kevin was an avid Boy Scout and became an Eagle Scout in his early teenage years. He had a deep love for the outdoors—especially hunting and camping.

He attended Sky View High School, where he took Spanish and remained conversationally fluent throughout his life. He enjoyed attending wrestling matches to cheer on his brothers Mark and Kelly, and was often found helping with timekeeping and other duties. During high school, he spent two summers picking pineapples—and getting a solid tan—in Hawaii.

Kevin loved music. He taught himself to play the guitar and wrote many of his own songs. He could really carry a tune and loved to sing—whenever and wherever the desire could no longer be contained (especially during his legendary 2–3 hour steam-filled baths in the family’s only bathroom).

He was an enthusiastic spectator of football, wrestling, or any sport his family members played. He especially loved watching his younger brothers play football during their high school years. Though he attended Sky View, his loyalty quickly shifted to the Mountain Crest Mustangs when his younger siblings were attending there. In recent years, he proudly cheered for BYU football and his beloved Raiders. Never shy about voicing his opinions—about sports or anything else—Kevin enjoyed a good debate. His battle cry? “Never back down from an argument.”

Kevin worked for many years in the construction industry, hanging drywall and performing various other duties across the western United States.

He had a deep love for dogs, even adopting “K9” as his preferred nickname. Freckles, Feliz, Spock, Blackie, and Conan were just a few of the many loyal canine companions he cherished over the years.

Seven years ago, Kevin suffered a series of strokes that left him facing many physical challenges, including the use of a wheelchair. He didn’t like being dependent on others for his mobility, so it was fitting that he regained his independence from his physical ailments as his country celebrated theirs—on the Fourth of July. Despite the hardships of his last seven years, a beautiful blessing came through a renewed faith in his Savior, leading to his reactivation in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.

Kevin is survived by his daughter, Hannah, and his son, Brandon; his mother, Marlene Powell; and eight siblings: Mark Powell, Kelly Powell, Kristen (Phil) Hamnett, Brenda (Garth) Ferrin, Derek Powell, Blair (Justine) Powell, Cami Turpin, and Justin (Lynn) Powell. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his father, Mer; his sister, Lisa; and all of his grandparents.

A graveside service will be held Friday, July 11, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. at the Millville Cemetery (310 East 100 North).

To share condolences with Marlene and the Powell family, a family visitation will be held Thursday, July 10, from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Millville City South Park (510 East 300 South).