Joseph E. “Ed” Power Jr., 84, of Des Moines died at home Friday, Feb. 24, 2023.
Ed was born on Dec. 2, 1938, to Margaret Birkett and Joseph E. Power in Peoria, Ill. His family moved to Burlington in 1950, where Ed graduated from Burlington High School in 1956. After receiving his Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Iowa, he served in the U.S. Army, later joining the U.S. Naval Reserve JAG Corp. He retired with the rank of commander.
Ed married Camille June Repass in 1964 after graduating from the University of Iowa Law School with a Juris Doctorate degree. He served as a law clerk for Federal Judge Roy Stephenson and then was a partner in the Bradshaw, Fowler, Proctor & Fairgrave Law Firm in Des Moines for 44 years.
Ed treasured family, friends, and client relationships. He enjoyed leadership roles in the Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation, Community Foundation of Greater Des Moines, Plymouth Congregational Church Board of Trustees, Girl Scouts of Central Iowa, American College of Trust & Estate Council, AIB, and University of Iowa College of Law Foundation. He was proud of his 30-year-perfect attendance record at the Des Moines Rotary Club. Ed relished his free time fly fishing in northeast Iowa, civil war history and events, travel, golf, and wintering in Green Valley, Ariz.
Ed leaves behind his wife of 58 years, Camille “Cammy”, and three sons, Joseph Power of West Des Moines, David Power of Seattle, Wash., and James Power of Appleton, Wis., one granddaughter, Camilla Power of Seattle, Wash., in-laws, Dick and Judy Smith of Fairfield and Diane Repass of Dubuque, and many cherished nieces and nephews. Ed was predeceased by his parents and brother-in-law Dale Repass.