Obituary of Gerald Powers

Gerald Arthur Powers passed away on the 29th of April 2013 at home. He was born in Hollister, California on October 28, 1946 to Arthur Carl and Maria Elizabeth Powers who both preceded him in death. He graduated from Sunnyvale High School in 1964 and, shortly after, joined the US Army where he served as a Tank Commander in Bayreuth, Germany. Jerry arrived in Chico in 1974, following many of his friends up from the Bay Area. He was a co-owner of the Kramore Inn from 1977 to 1983. It was there that he met his future wife, JoAnn. They were married on February 22, 1981 at the Stansbury House in Chico. From 1987 until his retirement in 2010, Jerry worked for the City of Chico in the Building Department. He was highly respected, both by his peers and his clients, for his candor and fairness. Jerry cherished his family and his friends. He especially loved fishing and attending Butte College athletic events with his father-in-law, Romeo. But his most obvious passion was for animals, particularly cats. He never met one he couldn't coax to him and care for if need be. He is survived by his wife of 32 years, JoAnn Powers of Chico; his mother and father-in-law, Doris and Romeo Morin of Chico; his sister-in-law, Maria Halstead and brother-in-law Chris Halstead; two nieces, Camille and Charlotte Halstead, and his nephew, Stephen Halstead. There will be a private service for family. Donations may be made in his memory to "The Olive Street Feline Fund" c/o The North Valley Community Foundation, 3120 Cohasset Road, Suite 8, Chico, CA 95973 or directly online to NVCF.org Arrangements are under the direction of the Brusie Funeral Home.On June 4th, Jerry, who loved the outdoors, the water, and his native California, will be laid to rest in the San Francisco Bay. Although the boat can carry only a handful of people, his circle of friends reaches far beyond. There will be a coordinated Moment of Remembrance immediately following the playing of Taps at dockside. This will be an opportunity to individually reflect upon a memory of Jerry however you wish and wherever you are - yet will be all together in thought and spirit at 10:30 a.m. p.d.t. on June 4, 2013. A tribute befitting a man who deeply regarded both privacy and individuality.