OHIO — Gov. Mike DeWine is among the many lawmakers reflecting on the death of former Secretary of State Colin Powell, who died Monday morning after complications from COVID-19, his family said in a Facebook post. He was 84.
“Today our country has lost one of its most accomplished citizens, General Colin L. Powell,” DeWine wrote in a statement. “A son of Jamaican immigrants, General Powell served his country in the U.S. Army beginning in ROTC and rose through the ranks to become a four-star general and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.”
Powell, a New York City native, was an Army veteran. He rose to the rank of four-star general and later become Joint Chiefs of Staff. He was the first Black Joint Chiefs of Staff chairman, secretary of state and national security adviser, working for President Ronald Renald and President George W. Bush.
“Colin Powell cared about helping America’s young people and was the chairman of America’s promise, a non-profit organization to help young people build character,” DeWine said. “Fran and I extend our sympathy to Secretary Powell’s wife, Alma, and the entire Powell family.”
Other Ohio lawmakers, like Akron-area Rep. Emilia Sykes, D-34, took to Twitter.
“My heart goes out to the family and loved ones of Gen. Powell. He served this nation with distinction and blazed a trail as the first Black Secretary of State. May his memory be a blessing,” Sykes wrote.
Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose called Powell “a man of undying integrity.”
Colin Powell was not only a devoted patriot and gifted leader — he was a man of undying integrity. As a young SGT in the Army, I read his book and his lessons helped guide my career as a soldier. Although his service to our country may have ended, it will never be forgotten. https://t.co/OF4qGEWYZv
— Frank LaRose (@FrankLaRose) October 18, 2021
Powell’s family wrote in the Facebook post that he had been fully vaccinated and was being treated at Walter Reed National Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland.
“We have lost a remarkable and loving husband, father, grandfather and a great American,” his family wrote.
Spectrum News’ Ryan Chatelain and the Associated Press contributed to this report.
