Reverend Murray R. Powell

The Reverend Murray R. Powell, of Houston, Texas and most recently Denver, Colorado, passed away peacefully on April 26, 2026, lovingly surrounded by family.

Murray was born April 17, 1950, in Lookout Mountain, Tennessee, to Edith Christian Powell and Edward Lewis Powell, Sr. He was raised in Houston, the youngest of four, growing up with two older brothers and a sister in a house full of energy, laughter and a steady stream of family and friends. Time spent with extended family in Mobile Bay, Alabama shaped his lifelong love of the water.

He graduated from the University of Texas and received his Master of Divinity from Virginia Theological Seminary in 1977. Ordained to the priesthood in 1978, Murray served congregations across the Diocese of Texas, including St. Matthew’s (Beaumont); Christ Church (Tyler); Christ Church Cathedral (Houston); St. John’s (Austin); St. Michael’s (Houston); Trinity Episcopal Church and Lord of the Streets (Houston); and St. Mark’s (Houston). While his vocation as a priest was important to him, it was always about relationships. His work with Lord of the Streets reflected something he believed deeply: as he said, “When you look away from a homeless person, you diminish their humanity and your own.”

Murray had a gift for making people feel seen and at ease. “Come on ride with us,” “What are you doing for art lately?” and “Why don’t you come to the house for a homebrew?” were Murray’s way of drawing people in. Over the years, Murray gathered people around him in a way that turned friends into family. Crawfish boils, shucking oysters, bike rides, sailing trips, and hurricane parties were some of the ways he loved to gather people. Dinner around the Powell dinner table with candles was a constant - one of his favorite ways to be with the people he loved. He had an amazing sense of humor, at times a little inappropriate, and a way of making everything feel lighter.

For a very right-handed guy, Murray was a remarkable woodworker and woodturner, turning simple pieces of wood into beautiful pieces of art and treasured gifts. To receive something Murray made was to receive something deeply personal—if you have a piece, you are lucky indeed.

He and his beloved wife, Sarah, recently celebrated 43 years of marriage. Together they shared a life filled with laughter, love, deep companionship, two amazing children and lots of Labradors.

Murray was many things in this life: son, brother, uncle, friend, Bop, Father Powell, Father Murray, Muzzie, Murphy Ponder, and husband, but there were only two people in this world who called him Dad. His children, Kate and Will, were the great joy of his life, and for them, we ache the most. Nothing made him prouder than Kate and Will.

Murray is survived by his wife, Sarah Tait Powell; his daughter, Katherine Tait Powell, her husband, Christopher Bangs and their children, Tait Murray Powell, Hope Linley Bangs, and Bremner Quinn Bangs; and his son, William Armistead Powell, his wife, Megan Kuhn Powell and their children Owen Armistead Powell and Madeline Eloise Powell; his brother, Edward Lewis Powell, Jr. (Ned); his sister, Edith Reed Powell; his sister-in-law, Virginia Thomas Powell; his brother-in-law, Rob Jones, sister-in-law, Cheri Jones; and a host of nieces and nephews who adored him. He not only was the fun uncle, he was the one who was safe, and in whom they could confide.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Armistead Christian Powell.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, June 6, 2026, 10:00 am at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, 3816 Bellaire Blvd, Houston, TX 77025. 

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Lord of the Streets Episcopal Church 3401 Fannin Street , Houston, Texas 77004.

Wasn’t it grand to have been loved by him?

“Well done, good and faithful servant; enter into the joy of your Lord.”