Michael Farrell Powell, 62, of Dover, Arkansas passed into God's hands on Saturday, April 13, 2019, following a lengthy and hard-fought battle against esophageal cancer.  Mike was at home under the care of Arkansas Hospice, surrounded by the love of family and friends, with his blue heeler, Gus, curled by the side of his bed.

Michael was born October 19, 1956 in Texarkana, Arkansas, to the late Raymond (Rip) and Bonnye (Sherrill) Powell. He spent the majority of his working life on Alaska's North Slope, in Prudhoe Bay, beginning as a derrick hand. Mike spent many years at Alaska Clean Seas in emergency response safety and spill response/environmental management. He served as task force leader for 42 cleanup vessels following the Deepwater Horizon spill in the Gulf of Mexico. His final position was head of safety for all BP's North Slope drilling and wells activities.

Mike never thought a day was complete without a new adventure. He was a skilled bush pilot, riverboat operator, and he built a cabin off the grid on  Alaska's Yentna River. He rarely missed a shot, and bear, moose, caribou, deer, and various other animals stocked his dinner tables. Mike didn't have one bear story – he had a roster of them.  He fished the waters of North America across lakes, streams and oceans.  A master picker and horse trader, he spent many years trading antiques and junk in Canton, Texas. Mike leaves behind a legacy of love, tall tales and legends.

Michael is survived by his wife, Jane Carrie (Patrick) of Dover; his son, Jacob Powell and wife Erica;  grandchildren, Graham and Elliot Powell, all of Waldo, AR; step daughter, Catlin Uhlig of Houston, TX; sister, Sheryl Gasaway and husband Chris of Alvarado, TX; brother, Jack Powell and wife Teresa of Shreveport, LA; niece, Sonya Eads, husband Chris, and their children Caleb and Addison Eads of Waldo; niece, Krista Best of Duncanville, TX; nephew, Greg Powell and wife Dana of Shreveport; niece, Amanda Strother and husband Micah of Shreveport; Tammie Powell, former wife and mother of their son, grand-nieces/nephews, cousins, and a host of friends, co-workers and acquaintances who will celebrate his life daily.

A memorial service will be held at Antioch West Baptist Church in Waldo, Arkansas, on Saturday, April 27, at 1 pm.  Mike's ashes will be scattered privately at a later date. Memorials may be made to the SAU Rip Powell Scholarship Fund.