District: 2
Hometown: Sulphur, Oklahoma; Murray County
Birthplace: Monroeville, Alabama
Spouse: Marion Worthington Miller Powell
Children: Lt. Col. John C. Powell, Jr.; Walter M. Powell; Mrs. Scott McDonald
John Coleman Powell graduated in 1917 with a B.S. degree in General Science from Mississippi State College. Powell had an impressive military background. He graduated from First Officers Training Camp as a 2nd Lieutenant in 1917 and was assigned to 126th Infantry, 32nd Division, Waco, Texas. He was promoted to 1st Lieutenant and sent to France. He graduated from 1st Corps Infantry School in Gondrecourt, France. Captain Powell was then attached to 158th Field Artillary, 45th Division (Oklahoma National Guard).
Powell received his LL.D. from the University of Oklahoma Law School in 1922 and did graduate work at the University of Edinburgh, Scotland. In 1922-23 he was Acting Chief u of Rehabilitation, then of Administration and Acting Sub-District Manager of the Veterans Administration of Oklahoma City. From 1923-38 he served in the firm of Young, Haste, & Powell in general civil practice in Sulphur. Powell was the County Attorney of Murray County in 1929. He then practiced law privately in Sulphur.
On August 8, 1949, Powell was appointed to the Court of Criminal Appeals by Governor Roy J. Turner to succeed Bert B. Barefoot, deceased. He served on the central committee of the State Bar Association for 2 years. He was also the President of the Rotary Club and an active member of Central Presbyterian Church.