Sherman M. Powell, 67, died Jan. 10 at his Valley Springs home.

He was born in Brawley to Frederick and Clara Powell. The family moved to Northern California in the late 1940s, first to Stockton, then Manteca, before settling in Oakdale in the ‘40s.

He attended and graduated from Oakdale Joint Union High School in 1960, and participated in basketball and football, and played the trumpet.

He went to work for PG&E following graduation and continued with the company except for his military service in the Seabees. He served on Okinawa during the Vietnam War. He resumed work with PG&E after the service. He started as a lineman, worked his way up to hydro-powerhouse operation, and operated several PG&E powerhouses, including Tiger Creek, and Drum Powerhouse near Donner Pass. He also taught hydro powerhouse operation to other PG&E employees in the Bay Area on occasion.

After more than 40 years, he retired from the Drum Powerhouse and moved from Colfax to Valley Springs, where he lived with his wife, Vicki who he married in 1982, until his passing.

He enjoyed going to the ocean, taking his grandchildren to Disneyland, taking cruises, working and building in his yard, and shooting clay pigeons.

He is survived by his wife, Vicki Davis Powell; his children, Gregory (Powell) Royse of Wawona, Stephen Powell of Lodi, Michael Powell of Red Bluff; sister, Shirley Elizabeth Powell of Grants Pass, OR; grandchildren; niece, Laura J. Kellogg of Waterford; and two grand-nieces of Waterford.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Frederick and Clara Powell.

A memorial service was held Jan. 14 at Daneri’s Mortuary Chapel in Jackson. Inurnment followed at San Joaquin Valley V.A. National Cemetery, Gustine.