Brian Joe Powers

Brian Joe Powers was born in Bremerton, Washington on January 20, 1942. 

He turned 80 in January of this year. He passed away peacefully on March 21, 2022, in Bend, Oregon.

He is now with his beloved wife of 50 years, Nona Powers, who preceded him in death in 2015.

He is survived by his sons Jimmie and Shane Powers.  He loved his sons deeply and was so proud of them.

He is also survived by his sister Rosie Powers and brother Mead Powers.

Nephew Zak Powers, his wife Marisa, and children Lyla, Max, and Eva.  Nephew Loren Powers, and niece Heather Powers.

Also many cousins and relatives in Wallowa, Oregon, and in Oregon and Washington.

Brian had many, many friends everywhere, and was constantly making new ones.

He was a loving, big hearted, and loyal friend with an enthusiasm for living that was contagious and drew people towards him. He was funny too!

Brian loved cats and would call them "Jimmieeeee", or "Shaneeeeee", regardless of their actual names.  His current cat he named "Green Sky" after his new furnace.  As a child he was given a puppy, "timmie dog", who lived 10 years.  He was a very fat dachsund mix that followed him.  Brian loved animals and they also were attracted to his kindness.

He had an affinity and love for classic cars, especially from the 50's and 60's.  Whenever he saw one he would immediately describe the year, make, and model it was, even detailing the small changes from year to year.  He learned this skill from his father Lyle, who often took him to work with him as an assistant mechanic.  His father told people he was better than most men he had worked with!

He was a skilled carpenter as well, he also learned this from his father.  He was always building beautiful things with wood and his hands, and he could quickly learn new skills when needed. 

He was a talented artist. He had some art training, but mostly he had natural innate artistic abilities.  A collection of his beautiful drawings that he gave to his  cousin Jake Roberts is now being compiled by his nephew Zak Powers into an E-Book which will be available online soon.  

Brian has been deaf since a baby of 9 months when he contracted encephalitis.

He attended Hosford school in Portland as a child. At 14 years old he enrolled at Oregon State School for the Deaf (OSD) in Salem, Oregon.He graduated in 1962. He thrived at OSD, where  he learned ASL, and began to have happy, enriching life experiences in the Deaf Community.

It was also at OSD that he met the love of his life, Nona.

At OSD he joined the track team and excelled.  He was chosen to represent the USA in the Olympics for the Deaf in Helsinki, Finland. He ran the 880 metres, and won a medal in 4th place!  He toured Europe with the team.  It was a marvelous experience.  Before he left he told his sister Rosie, " I'm so lucky to be Deaf, or I would not have had this great opportunity!" 

He worked at American Can Company for 30 years. Everyone had to wear ear protection, as Brian did not need to, he worked his way to lead man.  At his retirement party, a co-worker told his sister that he taught everyone ASL so they could communicate.

His friend Ang said that on his 80th birthday this January, he made the "strongman pose" with his arms over his head, saying "I am Strong!".  Nothing could be more true.

Many thanks to Ang, Troy, Dave, Ruth, Kathleen, and his many friends who helped support Brian and family at Hospice at the end of his life.

Rest in Peace Brian.  You will be missed

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