Captain David Gallimore Powell, 85, US Navy (retired), Irvine, Kentucky, died Saturday, June 1, 2024, at Marcum & Wallace Memorial Hospital, Irvine, KY. He was born December 8, 1938, the fourth of six children to Wayne Morgan and Evelyn Gallimore Powell.
David attended Irvine Elementary and High Schools. As a youth, he embraced various forms of the arts. His studies of music were expressed in his mastering the classical and Spanish guitar, bongo drums, folk harmonica, and jazz piano and clarinet. He often sat in with his father playing the guitar and clarinet in the La Flame nightclub in Lexington. He also became adept as an artist, creating some exceptional portraits with his pencils. At age 14 he worked for the McClanahans at the Irvine Theater concession stand and assisted in the film operations in the projector room.
He attended the United States Naval Academy, Eastern Kentucky University, and graduated from the University of Kentucky with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Political Science. He then obtained a Juris Doctorate degree in law from the University of Kentucky, and a Master of Philosophy degree in law from the University of Southampton, United Kingdom, where he studied as a Fulbright Scholar. And he recently completed studies in theology, obtaining a Doctoral Degree in Philosophy in Pastoral Care.
David was a decorated Navy Captain. A member of both the Kentucky Bar Association and District of Columbia Bar, he also was admitted to practice in the United States Supreme Court as well as in various Federal District and Appellant Courts. His career covered work as a government attorney, a law firm attorney practicing public sector law focusing on nuclear power, and practice in private sector civil law. David later utilized his education and experience in various teaching roles.
David is preceded in death by his parents and his siblings, Sunny Wayne Powell, Bunnie Gene (Winston) Powell, and Tamara Powell Dunaway. He is survived by his sister Letitia Powell King of Lexington, KY and his brother Gayle Morgan Powell of Ragley, LA. David is also survived by a special friend, Gerry Conner, many beloved nieces, nephews and friends.
Funeral services will be conducted Thursday, June 6, 2 PM at the Warren F. Toler Funeral Home Chapel with Bro. Joe Hall officiating. Burial with military rites will be at the West Irvine Cemetery. Visitation will be held on Thursday from 12 to 2 PM.
Pallbearers: Michael Sparks, Lee Anglin, Kevin McEvoy, Jim Bierer, Robert Arnold, Jerry Arnold, and Tom Broaddus
Honorary Pallbearer: Gayle Powell
