Carl James Powell

Carl James Powell, 88, returned home to his father, mother, and brother Jerry on March 13, 2025, in Sarasota, FL. Carl Powell was born on January 17, 1937, in Punta Gorda (Cleveland), FL, to Jerry M. Powell and Stella Register.

Mr. Powell attended Charlotte High School, then honorably served in the Army and was stationed in Korea where he met the love of his life, Jo Kim. On January 29th, 1962, he married Jo in Pusan, Korea. They had 3 children, Stella Powell-Carsten, Debra Powell, and Joseph Powell.

He was an avid fisher and hunter who walked among the cypress knees in Green Swamp and Big Cypress as well as the pine flatwoods of Cecil Webb, Babcock Ranch, and Lykes Brother's Silver Lake Preserve. When he was not in the woods, he was a fair mechanic and one of the best jerry-riggers around. In 1963, he and Jo Powell started Powell's Nursery and over the course of 60 years, they created a standard built on respect and trust which is now deeply ingrained in the heart of the community.

Carl had a love for many plants but was most fond of his orchids and hibiscus. He was a founding member of the Harry Goulding Chapter of the American Hibiscus Society, was a past president on both the chapter and national levels, and enjoyed attending the American Hibiscus Society's yearly conventions. He was also a member of the American Orchid Society as well as the Peace River Daylily Society. He was a known hibiscus hybridizer of which "Briar Fire" was among the last he created, at one point built his own laminar flow cabinet for flasking orchids, and could always be found with his grafting knife in his pocket. He was always open to teaching enthusiasts and nurserymen, young and old alike, horticultural (and plenty of hunting and fishing) tricks and methods, but always said he was a lifelong learner and that there was still much more to experiment with and explore. Additionally, he was a ham radio operator for a short period of time, talking to people all over the world. He found great joy in building rifles with his family, shooting black powder, and had previously served as the president of the South Tamiami Trail Rangers Black Powder & Pistol Club, Inc. He was a deacon of the East Side Baptist Church, a 32nd degree Mason, and a past Worshipful Master of Punta Gorda Lodge #115.

Carl always had a story for you and said, "If you don't believe that one, I have another one." He had many accomplishments in his lifetime but was still a modest man and enjoyed bragging about the achievements and stories of those he knew. He was a sweet man, who always had a glimmer in those crystal blue eyes of his, but he was best known for his love for everything and everyone he was around which is why he was known as "Pop" to many.

Carl is survived by his wife, Jo Powell, of Punta Gorda, FL; his three children Stella Carsten (daughter and her husband Christopher), Debra Powell (daughter), and Joseph Powell (son and his wife Amanda); four grandchildren, Rachel Bell (and her husband Justin), Catherine Minter (and her husband Jeremy), Cody and Briar Powell, and one great-grandchild, Judson Bell. He also is survived by his nephews and nieces, cousins, and many that were not blood-related that he claimed as a part of his family including his beloved turkey decoy Henrietta.

Carl is preceded in death by his father Jerry Morgan Powell, his mother Stella Register, and his brother Jerry Edward Powell.

A visitation for Carl Powell will be held at 9:00 a.m. on March 29, 2025, with a service to follow at 10:00 a.m. at the Life Celebration Center of Punta Gorda, in Punta Gorda, Florida.

Following services at the celebration center, a committal service will be held at Indian Springs Cemetery in Punta Gorda, Florida.

Donations in Carl's name may be made to one of the following:

 American Hibiscus Society https://www.americanhibiscus.org/

The Henry Goulding Chapter of the Hibiscus Society https://harrygouldinghibiscus.com/

or a charity of your choice.