Funeral services for John Powers, 92, of Lufkin, will be held at 2:00pm, Saturday, December 22, 2018 at Gipson Funeral Home in Lufkin with Bro. Jimmy Hedges and Bro. Randy Brown officiating. Interment will follow in the Garden of Memories Memorial Park. Visitation will be held Friday evening from 6-8pm at Gipson.
It is with great sadness that the family of John Richard Powers announces his passing on Wednesday, December 19, 2018, at the age of 92 years. John will be lovingly remembered by his wife of 72 years, Mabel; and his five children, daughters: Natalie, Rose Anne, Johnnica, Belinda, and son: Gary. John was born in Fastrill, Texas to parents, Bill and Johnnie (White) Powers, where he was the oldest of 11 children.
John is a veteran of WWII, serving as a Marine with deployment to Guam and Iwo Jima, where he
witnessed the flag raising on Mt. Suribachi. He was a scout/sniper in the 3rd Marine Corps Division, 21st Regiment and received the Purple Heart. A more recent passion was John’s involvement with the Marine Corps League of Lufkin and the National and State Chapters of the Third Marine Division Association. John’s war memories are a part of the Library of Congress and the Diboll History Center. He was so proud to be recently honored at the LISD 2018 Honor America Night.
Following his marriage to his high-school sweetheart, Mabel, he began his work life at Texas Power and Light and transferred to numerous cities throughout the State of Texas and returned to Lufkin in 1970. He retired from Texas Power and Light after 39 years of valuable service. During their life together, John and Mabel traveled to all 50 states, including Hawaii, where they spent their 60th wedding anniversary. John was an avid hunter and fisherman and many family vacations centered around these two loves. His love for the outdoors also extended to the beautiful Lily beds he maintained. John, Mabel and the neighborhood enjoyed watching them bloom each spring.
John lived in the service of others through his commitments to the Masonic Lodge for more than 60 years, Calvary Baptist Church as a member and Deacon, the Kiwanis Club, Lufkin Bass Club and Godtel Ministries. He is well known for his generosity, his love of family, God, and country. His trademark was gifting many with two-dollar bills.
John is survived by his wife, Mabel (Nivens) Powers of Lufkin; children, Natalie Vike, Rose Anne Ellison and husband David Ellison, Johnnica Edgerley and husband Darrell Edgerley, Gary Powers and wife Mary Powers, and Belinda Stanley and husband David Stanley; grandchildren, Sabrina Utter, Eva Spera, Jay Bartlett, Greg Vike, Kenneth Vike, Adrian Fountain, Ross Edgerley, Kyle Edgerley, Jonni Lyne Powers and their spouses; seventeen great-grandchildren; siblings, Earl (Red) and wife Doreen Powers of Deer Park, TX and Joe Lee Powers of Bastrop, TX; along with numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. In addition to his parents, John is preceded in death by nine siblings.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Godtel Ministries, 323 Moody St., Lufkin TX. 75901 (936) 637-2520
Condolences may be offered at www.gipsonfuneralhome.com
Services have been placed in the trust of Gipson Funeral Home.
