Page 102 - San Angelo

“He laid the bricks from 5th Street to South Chadbourne. He also sheared sheep and headed up shearing crews. In fact, he died in a car accident traveling home from a shearing operation.” Mr. Powell attended Blackshear School from 1st through 12th grades. “I graduated from Blackshear in 1953.” He recalls the school lovingly, and upon adulthood, he devoted countless hours and years to the children who attended the now-closed Blackshear Elementary School, even following his kids to Fannin where they were transferred.

He hasn’t just taken on the challenge of educating the children at Blackshear and Fannin. He has also adopted the teachers. Several times a year, mostly on holidays, Mr. Powell cooks up a feast for the 65 staff members at Fannin Elementary. “I love to cook. I am not THE best cook in San Angelo, but I am ONE of the best cooks. I keep all my recipes right up in here,” he grins, pointing at his forehead. “I like to cook for the senior citizens. I buy Styrofoam trays with dividers. I cook up a bunch of meals, and take them around to all my neighbors. I just say ‘here’s your dinner.’” Mr. Powell lost his wife of 44 years in 2002. He considers himself a loner, but makes friends everywhere he goes. “I just make eye contact and next thing you know,

TOP Lion’s Club Pancake breakfast which Ralph coordinated this year. Here he was taking his frst break at 10:30AM, since 5AM. ABOVE The ladies at the ASU West Texas Collection library showing Ralph how they used his photos for the Black History Month display. OPPOSITE PAGE Ralph likes to drop a line in the lake every now and then and have his “quiet time.”