Thomas Frederick Powers

Thomas Frederick Powers was born January 7, 1936 in Pickens, SC to Nannie Louise Evelyn (Porter) and Bennett Hill Powers. He was the youngest child following sister Lois and brothers Jack and Bill. A 1954 graduation concluded his primary education at Pickens Centralized High School. Immediately thereafter and in the footsteps of his brothers, Tom enlisted in the US Navy.

Tom's four-year enlistment took him to San Diego, CA for two years of electronics training and then deployment in the Pacific. His shipboard role was that of Fire Control Technician, plotting computer-based firing solutions for the large guns, following brother Bill in that position. This culminated with Tom achieving the rank of First-Class Petty Officer. After a 1958 honorable discharge, Tom enrolled at the University of South Carolina studying Electrical Engineering.

During his studies in 1959 Tom married Lucy Frances Abrams Lorick of Whitmire, SC - herself a Library Science student at nearby Columbia College. The two completed their studies and with two sons Karl (Gail) of Atlanta, GA and Thomas, Jr. (Trina) of Conroe, TX set off on what Tom would often term the adventure of a lifetime.

Tom's career began at the Dupont Savannah River Plant as a project engineer. Deciding that was not aligned with his interests, Tom joined Honeywell as a field sales representative in Columbia, SC and completed his Professional Engineering licensure. After moves to Charlotte, NC, Baton Rouge, LA, a return to Charlotte and finally Houston, TX, Tom rétired in 1998 as the Shell Oil National Account Executive. Along the way Tom became involved with a Honeywell acquisition target, Fritz Dines GMBH of Mulheim, Germany. This role required frequent travel and engagement with business interests in Germany and France - in other words a dream job for Tom.

Outside of work Tom and Lucy reared their boys, delighted in the arrival of a granddaughter (Hannah of Somerville, MA) and filled their time with extensive travel, experiencing the outdoors and community service. In his leisure time Tom pursued a number of activities including tennis, bridge, scuba diving, skiing, fishing, hiking, camping and dirt bike riding.

Tom's many voluntary service engagements include lifelong blood donation of an untold number of gallons, numerous board involvements, the Boy Scouts of America, various church responsibilities, the Jaycees, HOA committees, tax filing assistance and finally over a decade with Habitat for Humanity. This last role exercised Tom's talent of envisioning a new life for donated electronics, a virtual tinkerer's delight.

Funeral services on Saturday January 24 at 11AM will be at Northwoods Presbyterian Church - Houston, TX where Tom also served roles including Elder and chairing the Pastoral Nominating Committee that brought Dr. Paul Nazarian, MDiv, DMin to the pulpit. Dr. Nazarian will serve as officiant. Those interested in supporting deserving causes in Tom's honor are directed to any human services organization.