Hundreds remember Powell boys in Tacoma

The family of missing Utah woman Susan Powell held a public funeral for her two sons, nearly a week after their father killed them in a gas-fueled blaze.

Hundreds of people attended the Saturday service at Life Center Church in Tacoma, Wash. Many wore purple and blue ribbons in memory of Charlie, 7, and Braden, 5. Their remains were in one coffin adorned with a large flower arrangement of daisies, roses and sunflowers.

“We want to celebrate their innocence today,” said the Rev. Dean Curry, lead pastor of Life Center Church. “We want to be grateful for the moments we had with these children.”

The boys’ grandfather Chuck Cox thanked people of all faiths who had prayed for them, saying, “It helps us to know that there are good people in the world, good people that would fight against evil.”

“We know that they’re with their mother,” Cox said, remembering his daughter, Susan Powell, who has been missing for two years and is presumed dead.

The two boys were remembered as being “full of energy and life.” Charlie’s kindergartner teacher spoke of a boy who was curious and creative, just like his mother.

“His time was consumed with constructing things,” said Tammy Ougheon. “At an early age, Charlie displayed a keen intellect and compassionate heart. He was an amazing young man.”

Braden also had shades of Susan; his grandfather once described him as having her “spirit and her smile.”

“Braden walked through the doors every day with a big smile on his face,” said Kristie King, an instructor at a YMCA where Braden was enrolled in a pre-kindergarten program.

King said Braden, “had a heart of gold, always wanting to show affection.”

Braden liked to hold his teacher’s hand and not let go,” he said.

The boys were killed in a fire set by their father, Josh Powell, when they went to visit him Sunday at his rental home in Graham, Wash. Powell also died. He was a person of interest in the disappearance of his wife two years ago.

Pierce County sheriff’s spokesman Ed Troyer said Saturday that Josh Powell’s body will be released to a cousin Monday.

Westboro Baptist, a
notoriously anti-gay church, cancelled their plans to picket the funeral
to “remind” Gov. Chris Gregoire that “they died because of her rebellion,” a
reference to her support of same-sex marriages. Occupy Seattle had
planned to counter-protest the church at the funeral site.

A private interment for the Powell boys will take place Monday at Woodbine Cemetery in Puyallup.

The Curnow Funeral Home has set up a memorial page where you can send your private condolences.

97.3 KIRO FM’s Brandi Kruse and The Associated Press contributed to this report.