John Michael "Mike" Powers

Powers, John Michael (Mike)
62, passed into God's loving arms on August 14, at home with his dearly beloved family. Born Dec. 19, 1948 in Ft. Benning, GA, the oldest of five children, his family moved about as the children of an army officer. He attended college at UC Santa Barbara where he was the catcher on the baseball team (MVP) and met the love of his life and wife-to-be, Missy. Subsequent to his graduation he played a year of professional baseball in Canada followed by a year in the San Francisco Giants organization. Married in 1971, they moved to Arizona in 1972 where they had five children. Mike's biggest love in life was his family. He always worked his schedule around being present at the multitude of baseball, soccer, football, and basketball games for the boys, and gymnastic and diving meets for the girls. His second love and passion was coaching his sons (and countless other boys) in baseball, where they got life lessons as well as baseball skills,-from T-ball through summer college leagues, then driving all over the country to watch his three sons play college and professional baseball. These past years have had the added joy of having all of his grandchildren nearby. Bigger than life, his infectious laugh, Irish sense of humor, warm and generous personality, along with his strong faith always drew others to him. He is pre-deceased by his mother, Dorotha and sister Kathy. He is survived by his loving and beloved wife of 39 years, Missy, his children Kristin (Chris), John, Jeff (Nikki), Valerie (Dave), Greg (Michelle), his father, Col. John F. Powers, brothers, Dave, Steve (Barb) and Dan (Catherine), as well as his grandchildren, Sean, Jeremy, Katie, Tyler, Keira and Abby and numerous nieces and nephews. He is deeply missed by his family and friends. A memorial mass will be held at St. Maria Goretti Catholic Church on Friday, Aug. 19, at 1:30. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Hospice of the Valley. Arrangements entrusted to Messinger Mortuary.