Matthew Ryan Powers, 15, of Bradenton, Florida, entered his heavenly home on Saturday, September 15, 2018, as a result of an automobile accident in Lakewood Ranch. He was born January 19, 2003, at Ft. Riley, Kansas. The first son of Dan and Rebecca Powers, he spent his early years in a dual-military Army household, traveling the world with his family, making new friends, and adapting well to Army life. Matt lived in Laaber, Germany, Ft. Leavenworth, Kansas, Junction City, Kansas, and Apollo Beach, Florida, before moving to Bradenton in December 2013.
Matt lived life to the fullest. He was active at Living Lord Lutheran Church, Lakewood Ranch Little League, the Haile Middle School Concert Band and Orchestra, Lakewood Ranch High School JROTC his freshman year, and the Lakewood Ranch High School Marching Band, Wind Ensemble, and Jazz Band. He attended FSU Summer Music Camps the last three years and wanted to become a High School Band Teacher. Matt was quick to make lifelong friends and was always willing to help people.
Matt is survived by his parents, Dan and Rebecca; brother, Robert; sister, Katie; grandparents, Claudia Geist and Ralph and Mary Powers; aunts and uncles, Rachel Manning, Ryan and Summer Geist, and James and Julianne Powers; cousins, Caroline Manning, Otto Geist, Ellamarie Geist, Heidi Geist, Nathaniel Powers, Rebekah Powers, Rachel Powers, Jessica Powers, and Adrielle Powers; along with several great-aunts and great-uncles. He is preceded in death by his grandfather, Otto Geist and uncle, Jon Geist.
Visitation will be Friday, September 21, from 5:00 until 8:00 p.m. and Saturday beginning at 2:00 p.m, at Living Lord Lutheran Church located at 11107 Palmbrush Trail, Bradenton, Florida.
Funeral services for Matthew will be at 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, September 22, at Living Lord Lutheran Church. A private committal service will be held at Sarasota National Cemetery at a later date. Pastor Terry M. Courter will officiate the services.
Memorials may be made to Lakewood Ranch Band Boosters Assoc., P. O. Box 110354, Lakewood Ranch, Florida 34211 or Living Lord Lutheran Church Scholarship Fund, 11107 Palmbrush Trail, Bradenton, Florida 34202.
