Justin E. Powell, 51, of Cleveland, Missouri, passed away on July 8th 2026 at his home in Cleveland. A Celebration of Life Service will be held from 3:00 to 8:00 pm Saturday, August 22, 2026 at the Isinglass Estate Winery, 16241 381th St, Lacygne, KS 66040. Arrangements entrusted to Mullinax Funeral Home, Drexel (816-657-4400). Messages of condolence may be left for the family at www.mullinaxfuneralhome.com
Justin was born on January 14, 1975, in Boulder County, Colorado, to the Rayback & Powell families.
Since childhood, Justin loved animals. They reciprocated wholeheartedly. “Critters” (his term) fueled him emotionally, physically, and spiritually. Fellowship, camaraderie, and an intensity to succeed in all endeavors would be constants throughout his life. As a young man, he excelled first as a wrestler while attending Centauris High School in Lafayette, Colorado, where he competed at a state level for several years.
After graduating with AP credits and innumerable athletic accolades, his passions for athleticism and horses would lead to a long and storied career, reaching high levels of success as a PRCA saddle bronc rider. His ability to study and appreciate each individual bronc led to many stories about the bronc’s character and why the horse behaved a certain way; he rarely spoke of his abilities or many achievements in the arena, giving most buckles away to people he thought would appreciate them. His motivation was the feeling of freedom he got putting on a good ride and the challenge of analyzing and appreciating his equine opponent. He served as PRCA Mountain States Circuit Saddle Bronc Director for several years and also contributed through the Fellowship of Christian Cowboys conducting services at major rodeos and stock shows. The friendships and stories he took away from his rodeo career would enliven him and lead to many an evening of reminiscing. He would say this was the most fulfilling time in his life.
Justin funded his rodeo career by working at several other professions including: farrier, electrician, plumber, HVAC repairman, bladesmith, machinist, general handyman, and bee-keeper He was an insanely talented horse trainer, breaking outlaw colts, barrel horses, and cart horses using the same analytical skills he did for bronc riding and all other tasks. He also had a great passion and ability for dog training and handling - making several highly skilled herding, birding, and search and recue animals. On that note, Justin is credited with several mountain search and rescue saves. He was an avid outdoorsman: subsistence hunting, fishing, and trail riding. No matter the activity, his exuberant stories were full of the special critters that were by his side. They were a part of him, and his ability to recognize each animal’s unique qualities made his methods one of a kind and highly effective.
A love of caring for animals and working with them would sustain Justin through multiple accidents and injuries (not all rodeo related). He would suffer two life-changing traumatic brain injuries and survive two intracranial surgeries, subsequent epilepsy and life altering medication. Critters accompanied him and gave him purpose through recovery. Raising bottle calves and working long hours through calving season, being physically present for a cow in need when his recovery should have limited him, defined this time in his life. He took great pride in working through his recovery and seeing new life thrive on the ranch.
Justin’s competitive side also led him to a purple belt with 4 stripes in Brazilian Jiu-jitsu, initially training under Mauricio Zingano and eventually leading him to be Coach Cowboy to countless adults and children. He loved coaching and rolling. He viewed competitors as fellows who built him up and helped him improve. He appreciated their participation and friendship and counted them as family. He wanted nothing but success for those around him. He would light up teaching kids and took immense joy from watching their strides.
Ultimately, Justin would move to Missouri to be with his person, Dr. Brianne Simonsen. Together, they built a quiet life where Justin found peace, gardening, bee-keeping, smoking or cooking wonderful meals for family and friends, visiting foodie destinations around Kansas City and unwinding with his dogs Cleo and Annie. He would routinely help Brianne after hours on emergency veterinary calls and enjoyed being able to use his skills to contribute and sometimes save the day. He still thrived on conversation, telling the funniest, most entertaining stories and jokes, sharing his culinary gifts, and general “philosophizing” as he would say. There was a running joke that he was the unofficial mayor as he made a point to know all of the neighbors and helped wherever he could. Justin wrung humor from everything in life with the ultimate goal of brightening the day for those around him. His humor was clever, surprising, and entirely original. He worked every day to make life easier and happier for those he loved, practiced gratitude and expressed his appreciation at every opportunity, understood being community-minded, stepped up to assist those in need, exemplified unconditional love and was unflinchingly himself. Rest in peace, know that you are so deeply missed and loved. The fruit you leave with us is good."
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