Robert Power
Robert Power
Robert Power
Robert H. Power died surrounded by his loving family Feb. 1, 2016.
A remarkable man of great honor and integrity, he was born in McCool, Miss., and moved as a young man to Texas where he was embraced by a community of supportive friends in Irving and began compiling a legacy of accomplishments.
After graduating from North Texas State University and Southern Methodist University School of Law in 1958, he served as Assistant District Attorney for Dallas County and then established a private law practice in Irving where he continued to work into his late 70s.
His extensive record of community service, with his calm demeanor and wise counsel benefitting so many governing bodies and advisory boards, resulted in numerous progressive improvements in North Texas.
Over the years, he served as city councilman and then Mayor of Irving from 1963-1971, Trustee of the Dallas County Community College District, Trustee of the University of Dallas, Director of North Central Texas Council of Governments, President of Dallas County League of Municipalities, founding Director of North Texas Commission, President of North Texas Regional Airport Committee, President of Irving Chamber of Commerce, President of Irving Bar Association, Director of Hope Cottage Children’s Bureau, Director of the American Bank of Irving and of Irving National Bank, Director of Irving Community Hospital, Director of Irving Preservation and Redevelopment Board, Vice President of Red River Valley Association and Director of Dallas Area Rapid Transit.
Close to his heart were non-profit agencies including his service as Chairman Western Star District Boy Scouts of America and Dallas County Board of Advisors for the Salvation Army. He also served as an Elder and Chairman of Deacons for the First Presbyterian Church of Irving.
For a number of years he was attorney for the Dallas Cowboys after having led the effort for passage of the bond election funding the construction of Texas Stadium. In 1987, he and his wife Rebecca purchased ranch property in East Texas and founded Sundown Ranch, a residential drug and alcohol treatment center for adolescents and young adults, where his passion and hands-on involvement contributed greatly to its national recognition for success in helping over 7,300 youth to date overcome substance abuse.
Over the course of his long years of public service in a number of varied careers, he touched many lives and provided help and hope for recipients of his generosity across a broad spectrum of society. His civic contributions were marked by a remarkable power to focus on the essence of the problem and encourage consensus to do the right thing, for he was more statesman than politician.
Mr. Power is survived by his beloved wife of 56 years, Rebecca Noble Power, whom he never stopped seeing as the beautiful young college girl he met on a blind date; four children of whose unique accomplishments and talents he was so proud, Robert Power, Robin Power, Jeffery Power and his wife, Leslie and Melissa Pardue; grandchildren, Bobbie Ramirez, Brice Bowden, Blake Bowden, Ross Pardue, Marissa Power, Austin Power and Beau Power; great- granddaughter, Isabelle Ramirez; and nieces and nephews, Jim Power, Jackie Bowen and David Power.
Funeral services were held Friday, Feb. 5 at Calvary Church in Irving, with officiant J. Don George and speakers the Honorable Ed Kinkeade and John Boyle.
The family received friends at a reception following the funeral service at Calvary Church. A private burial service was held. Brown’s Memorial Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements. Please share with the family your thoughts, fond memories, stories and photos by visiting the Book of Memories page at www.brownmem.com.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to either the Friedreich’s Ataxia Research Alliance (www.curefa.org) or The Salvation Army (www.salvationarmydfw.org) to gift to the Irving Corps Facility.
