Donald R. Powers 1950 -2015

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Donald R. Powers, 65, died on April 9. Born March 24, 1950, in Mexico City, Mo., he was the son of Bill and Vivian (Carter) Powers of Great Bend. In 1968 he graduated from Great Bend High School. He then pursued his education for an associate in arts at Garden City. In 1972, he married Barbara Bayless. Their daughter, Erin Powers Lewis, was born in 1972. Don and Barbara divorced in 1980. He met his companion, Teresa Fox, in 1981. They had a son, Jason, in 1983. The couple moved to Kansas City in 1987. He lived in Great Bend and the surrounding area for many years and worked in the oilfields as a welder and mechanic. He also worked on racecar engines and at various other jobs. His passions were working on old cars and engines, camping, boating and fishing for walleye.
Survivors include, a son, Jason Powers; one daughter, Erin Powers Lewis; four brothers, Jimmy and wife, Cindy, of Lenexa, Richard and wife, Terri, of Ottawa, and Kevin of San Antonio, Texas; a sister, Kim, and husband, Donnie Rocha, of Great Bend; three grandchildren, Blake Suchy, Jimmy Ray Powers, and Alyssa Powers; and companion, Teresa Fox. He was preceded in death by a brother, Charles. Celebrations for those who knew Don and were part of his life will be held at 2 p.m. on June 21, at Berkeley Riverfront Park in Kansas City, Mo., and at 2 p.m. on June 27, at Minooka Point at Lake Wilson.

Great Bend (Kan.) Tribune, June 12, 2015*