Captain Edward Nicholas Powell, 83, passed away quietly at home in Richmond, TX, on March 12, 2017. "Nick" was born in Mobile County, Alabama, Dec 15, 1933, to Teddy Murphy Powell and George Powell. He was raised by his stepmother, Willie Mae Powell as his mother died when he was only 4 years old. Nick's early years were spent in Coden, Alabama, fishing and shrimping on the Alabama coast.

After graduating from Alba High School, he joined the Merchant Marines and worked his way up to Unlimited Master, licensed by the coastguard. He sailed for Lykes Brothers Steamship Company for many years as Captain of steamship freighters, including the Leslie Lykes, the SS Thompson Lykes, the James Lykes and the Joseph Lykes. Nick sailed all over the world with regular routes to Africa, Asia and South America. He was Captain of the first U.S. ship to China when President Nixon opened trade routes to that country and made many trips to Vietnam carrying tanks, planes and ammunition for U.S. troops there, even discharging cargo while under enemy fire. Nick retired from sailing in 1988 to pursue leisure interests.

In 1964 Nick married Juanita Landry in Mobile and promptly adopted her two children. They were married for 11 years before Juanita passed away. In 1991, Nick married Molly Bates de la Houssaye and moved to rural Richmond where they lived happily together for 25 years. He loved to travel, to garden and tend to his pecan crop and dogs. And he especially enjoyed family times with Molly's children and precious grandchildren.

Nick was a 32nd Degree Mason, a longtime member of the Masters Mates and Pilots Union, Houston Chapter, and was granted lifetime membership in the Council of Master Mariners.

He was predeceased by his mother and father and his brother Maurice Powell.

Survivors include his stepmother, Willie Mae Powell of Mobile, his sister Marilyn Wilcox(Dallas), brothers: Donald(Myra), Douglas, and Joseph, wife Molly Powell, his son Kenneth Powell of Mobile, daughter Beth Powell Gibson(Kurt) of Virginia Beach Va., stepdaughter Katie delaHoussaye Taylor(Kurt) of Sugar Land, TX, stepsons Captain Dan delaHoussaye (Jenn) and Tim de laHoussaye (Julia) both of Needville, Tx. Also Grandchildren: Jody Powell, Chad Powell, Rey Amaya(Kelsey), David Amaya, Nicole delaHoussaye, Jorge Cantu, Kenzie Cantu, Mitchell Taylor, Andrew Taylor, Paige Taylor and Great Grandbaby Silas Cantu.

A Memorial Service will be held Saturday March 18th at 2:00 P.M. at Calvary Episcopal Church, 806 Thompson Road, Richmond, TX, under the direction of the Rev. Paul Wehner and Rev. Lecia Brannon. A reception will follow in the church parish hall. At a later date the Captain's ashes will be scattered at sea.

The family requests that, in lieu of flowers, donations of remembrance be made to Calvary Episcopal Church, 806 Thompson Road, Richmond, TX 77469, or to St. Judes Children's Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or online at www.stjude.org.

Condolence messages may be written for the Powell family at www.garmanycarden.com.

Services are under the direction of Garmany & Carden Funeral Directors, 1201 Fourth Street, Rosenberg, TX 77471 (281)342-4671.