Michael David Powell. age 57, of Marietta and Litchfield Beach, passed quietly into the loving arms of God on Sunday morning, July 31, 2005.He was born in Atlanta on Dec. 3, 1947, the son of Charles David Powell and "Peggy" Forte Powell Slaker. He spent his early years in Atlanta, England and Germany. He and his mother returned to Atlanta from Europe and Mike spent his elementary school years happily attending E. Rivers Elementary School and playing various sports. Playing sports was where he met his coach, mentor, friend and father, Richard "Bud" V. Slaker Jr. Mike's family moved to Greenville, S.C., where he continued to play sports, attended junior high and graduated from Greenville High School. He received a B.A. in history from the University of Georgia, where he was a brother in the Kappa Sigma fraternity. His undergraduate program was interupted when he served a two year stint in the Army, serving one year in Vietnam. Upon graduation from UGa (Go Dawgs!), he returned to Greenville and was employed by the Greenville Hospital System, working with emotionally disturbed young boys. In 1974 he met the love of his life, Dixie Elaine West. They were married in 1975 and have enjoyed a rich, full and blessed 30 years of marriage. Mike went on to earn a Ph.D in special education from Georgia State University and continued his work with emotionally disturbed children. He began working with the Cobb County School District in 1983 and has been the director of Haven Academy, a part of the Georgia Psychoeducational Network, for over 20 years.He is survived by his wife, Dixie Powell; father, "Bud" Slaker and wife Judy; two sisters, Julie Slaker, Greenville, S.C., and Fiona Powell, Milton, Pa.; brother, Jamie Powell, Portland, Ore.; uncle, Richard J. Powell, Downington, Pa.; two aunts, Joan Knaub, boulder, Colo. and Monette Burdeshaw, Montgomery, Ala.; and two furry feline "babies", Van and Cini. Throughout his life, Mike made many dear and treasured friends who are left to cherish fond memories of their time with Mike. He will be missed by all those who knew and loved him and were loved by him.A memorial service was held Wednesday, Aug. 3, at Kirkwood Presbyterian Church in Marietta. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Michael Powel H.A.V.E.N. Student Scholarship, Cobb County Public Schools Education Foundation, P.O. Box 1088, Marietta, GA 30061. -- Wages & Sons, 770-469-9811.