Oct. 30, 1935 - April 6, 2008
John Richard Powley, 72, Altoona, died Sunday at Altoona Regional Health System, Bon Secours Hospital Campus.
He was born in Altoona, son of the late Clyde Calvin and Helen Grace (Nancarrow) Powley. He was married to Sandra B. Beasom Nov. 20, 1965, in Altoona.
He is survived by his wife; two children: Caroline K. Powley-Smith and husband, William, of Navarre, Fla., and son, John E. Powley and wife, Maria, of Lander, Wyo.: grandchildren: Elijah Smith and Derek Smith; a brother, Edward Powley of Bloomington, Calif.; and sisters: Lois Eversole of Fredonia and Nancy Brandt of Altoona.
John attended Altoona Bible Church, Altoona.
He was a 1953 graduate of Altoona High School and a 1959 graduate of the University of Houston, Houston, Texas, with a B.S. in radio-television. His post-graduate work was done at the University of Houston and Penn State University.
During his nearly 50 years in broadcasting, he was a station owner and consultant. He began his career as the president of Texas-Longhorn Broadcasting (KTXN, Austin, Texas).
He returned to his hometown of Altoona to construct a radio and television station. He owned and operated WHGM-FM 103.9 (now WALY-FM) from its sign-on March 28, 1970, until its sale in 1986. He signed on WOPC-TV (now WATM) on Nov. 28, 1974. He owned and operated this ABC affiliate until its sale in 1986.
After these sales, he focused more on consulting. He was involved in the grant of hundreds of station permits from the FCC. He was instrumental in the grant of the FCC license of WNGS-TV in Springville, N.Y., owned by his daughter, Caroline. He returned to station management from 1999- 2006 at WBLU in Lexington, Ky.
Friends will be received from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, April 11, 2008, at E. Merrill Smith Funeral Home Inc., 2309 Broad Ave., Altoona. A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, April 12, 2008, at the funeral home, officiated by Pastor Stewart McClelland. Private committal will be held at Calvary Cemetery.
In remembrance of John, those who wish may make contributions to The John R. Powley & Family Trustee Scholarship, c/o Penn State Altoona, 3000 Ivyside Drive, Altoona, PA 16601, Attn: Susan Woodring.
Friends may e-mail condolences at www.smithfuneralcenter.com.
