Jonathan Powers Obituary, Death – Jonathan Powers died at home in Plano, Texas, surrounded by his family, after a long battle with lung problems. He’d been dealing with these issues for some time. Thurman Earl and Ethel Kuntz, both of whom predeceased him, gave birth to him in Winamac, Indiana, on December 1. Dixie was raised in South Bend, Indiana, and attended Riley High School. He continued his education at Indiana University, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in Radio-TV Creative Writing with honors. His bride was Shirley Ann Scott, and they married on January 2, 1960.
For three years, he served as a motion picture project officer in the United States Air Force. He found work as a film producer for the Centron Corporation in Lawrence, Kansas after completing his military service. He oversaw the creation of instructional films as well as films for a number of Fortune 500 companies. He resigned from his position as General Manager at Centron in 1986. His most recent position was Director of Public Affairs for the Missouri Department of Conservation, where he was able to advocate for the state’s incredible native flora and fauna. They both had a great time in Jefferson City for twenty years. In 2006, he and his wife moved to Plano, Texas, to be closer to their family and two of their four grandchildren.
His passion for fishing lasted throughout his life. When the weather was too cold to go fishing, he enjoyed working with wood. He took great pride in making family furniture, including two cradles for the grandchildren. He was an avid reader who instilled in his family a love of literature that has survived to the present day. Throughout their 54-year marriage, he was her staunchest supporter and demonstrated his love for her. In everything he did, he put his family first, and he was his kids’ favorite fishing partner, homework checker, storyteller, project mentor, “leprechaun hunter,” bedtime story reader, and consoler. He also read them stories before they went to bed. His loving wife of 54 years, Shirley Powers, and his three daughters, Julie Schoerke of Nashville, Diane Groves and husband Mark of Plano, and Jill Powers, formerly of Plano, survive him, as do his four grandchildren, Chandler and Amanda Schoerke of Nashville, and Benjamin and Madeline Groves of Plano.