Wayne Noel Powell, 71

Wayne Noel Powell died on March 15, 2012, in Jefferson City, Mo.

He was born in Great Falls on Oct. 17, 1940, to Charles S. and Retta M. Buchanan Powell. During World War II they moved from Great Falls to Pittsburgh where he lived until age 4, when the family returned to Kalispell.

Wayne graduated from Flathead County High School, Class of 1958. He later studied architecture at Montana State College in Bozeman, interrupting his studies for work as a draftsman in White Plains, N.Y., and then for Boeing in Seattle.

After receiving his degree in architecture, he worked in various locations throughout his career.

He married Linda Palm in 1967, with whom he had three children.

Ever the dreamer, Wayne worked on building projects throughout his life. As an avocational physicist, Wayne promulgated many theories, touching on esoteric concepts such as the time/energy continuum, and built models for many inventions, including a concept car. His stories, inventions, knowledge of physics and propensity for teaching made him quite popular with the children of the family, who carry on his legacy.

He served in the Montana National Guard, receiving his basic training in Oklahoma.

He was a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Kalispell where he designed the remodel of the front entry and also sang in the choir.

As a Freemason, Wayne served as master of the Kalispell Masonic Lodge No. 42 in 2001-02.

After recovering from heart surgery in Kalispell in 2007, he spent his final years building churches for Cowboys for Christ.

Wayne was preceded in death by his parents, Charles Powell and Retta Powell; and brother, James H. Lee Powell.

He is survived by children, Julie Powell Fogle of Lewistown, Scott Powell of Brooklyn, N.Y., and Jason Powell of Ypsilanti, Mich.; sister, Jean Hedger, of Sedro-Wooley, Wash.; and brother, Terry Powell, of Kalispell; grandchildren, Briana King, Jordan and Ethan Fogle, and Kirin and Rowan Powell; nephews, Erik and Thor Powell, and Greg and Doug Hedger; niece, Lindsay Hedger Marshall; and aunts, Bobbie Wagoner of Kalispell, and Gladys Frank of Orland, Calif.

A family memorial will be held 1 p.m. Saturday, July 7, at the First Presbyterian Church in Kalispell.