Nelson W. "Dude" Powell was born on February 7, 1941, in Thackerville, OK to Bud V. and Mary Ann (Suggs) Powell. He died on Friday, March 21, 2025, at his Marietta, OK, residence surrounded by his family at the age of 84.

Dude grew up in Thackerville, where he attended and graduated from high school. In high school, Dude rode bareback broncs and bulls. After graduation, Dude married his high school sweetheart Eva Mae Cobb, (who made him quit bull riding) and moved to Gainesville, TX, to begin their life together.

After a year, Ronda Gale was born and Dude worked at various jobs to support the family. Dude followed his brother "Hop" to Escalon, CA, to work in Hop's trucking business (AL Powell Trucking). Debbra Darleen came into the world a short time later. After five years in California, Eva Mae had enough of the west coast life and wanted to move back to Oklahoma. They settled down in Marietta, where Dude worked at a local gas booster station in Enville, OK. Shortly after moving back, Timothy Dale came into the world.

Dude changed careers to further support the family and went to work for the Thompson Brothers Carpentry. Together they built homes in the local community. Later Dude worked for McMillin Construction.

Travel and long hours necessitated another career change and Dude began work at the Love County Oklahoma Department of Transportation. Dude worked for ODOT 20 years and retired at 62 as Supervisor. In retirement, Dude enjoyed traveling to Bluegrass Festivals with Eva Mae and helping others do repairs and odd jobs.

Horses and rodeos have always been a part of Dude's life, and he continued to train roping and cutting horses throughout the years. Dude was a Gunsmoke expert and loved watching rodeos with family and friends. He also enjoyed watching Duke basketball, his favorite college team. He was a member of the Marietta Church of Christ.

Preceding Dude in death are his parents; wife; daughter, Debbra Darleen Clement; sisters, Velma Trivelpiece, Eileen Jones, Claudine Monkres, and Joyce Varner; and brothers, Aubrey (Hop) Powell and Buddy Powell.

Those left to cherish Dude's memory are his children, Timothy D. Powell and wife Kelly of Marietta, Ronda Gale Price and husband Eugene of Callisburg, TX; nine grandchildren; 19 great grandchildren; sisters, Mary Ann Faulkenberry of Marietta and Carolyn Ryan and husband Mike of Plano, TX; and numerous nieces, nephews and extended family members.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 P.M., Wednesday, March 26, 2025, at the Flanagan-Watts Funeral Home Chapel with Mr. Chase Green officiating and Mr. Zack King assisting. Interment will follow at the Lakeview Cemetery in Marietta. Visitation will be held from 6:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. on Tuesday at the Flanagan-Watts Funeral Home.

Casket bearers will be Michael Dale Sampson, J.P. Powell, Robert Varner, Ricky Dale McMillin, Jay Thompson, Stephen Monkres, Michael Manning, and Keith Powell. Honorary casket bearers will be Laramie Clement, Vincent Powell, Sebastian Powell, and Eugine Price.