Terry H. Powell
The Hall of Fame for City and Town Officials may induct one person posthumously each year. The Foundation has selected for 2004 an individual who served in Oklahoma local government for 34 years prior to his death earlier this year at age 60. Terry H. Powell served in three Oklahoma communities and on the international board for his profession. Throughout this service, he was known for his compassion, integrity, dedication, respect for elected officials, and most of all his passion for the communities he served.
And, he had a sense of humor! A very dry sense of humor!!! He is fondly remembered for how he could dissipate volatile issues or situations with his quick wit.
Terry retired as City Manager of Shawnee in February where he had served since 1991. Prior to that, he spent 15 years as the City Manager of Guymon after having been the Assistant City Manager and head of urban renewal for Shawnee from 1971 to 1976. He began his local government career in 1970 as a rehabilitation specialist with the Tulsa Urban Renewal Authority.
An avid marathon bicyclist, swimmer, and runner, Terry competed three times in the Boston Marathon -- after he turned 50.
While in Guymon, Terry's peers elected him as a regional vice president of the International City/County Management Association. He is one of only three Oklahomans to serve on the ICMA board in the past 40 years. During his career, he was President of the Oklahoma Chapter of the National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials and the City Management Association of Oklahoma. He also served on the Board of Directors of the Oklahoma Municipal League and, throughout his time at Shawnee, was an active participant in the monthly breakfast roundtable discussions held by Oklahoma City area city managers. He was honored by OML with the Don Rider Award. The Shawnee Chamber of Commerce honored him with the Gordon Richards Award.
In addition to his local government service, he was President of the Shawnee and Guymon Chambers of Commerce, a District Governor for Rotary Club International, and served on the Advisory Board for the Salvation Army. Terry was especially proud of his service as a U.S. Marine helicopter pilot during the Vietnam War. He received more than 40 medals, including the Purple Heart and Distinguished Flying Cross.