George Max Powers

1984 - 2022

George M. Powers, JD

It is with great sadness that we share news of the passing of a TIRR Memorial Hermann family member - George M. Powers, JD. George passed away on July 9.

George Max Powers was born September 3, 1984, in Tbilisi, Georgia, Russia. He immigrated to Texas with his mother in 1990. He graduated from Trinity University in San Antonio and received his law degree from the University of Houston. He was an intern at the TIRR ILRU Program in 2014 before he was employed at the Southwest ADA Center at TIRR Memorial Hermann in 2015.

George, a double upper amputee, was an ardent disability rights scholar, educator, and advocate. He authored scholarly articles on accessibility of computer gaming, telemedicine, and COVID-19 treatment. He frequently conducted training programs for public and private agencies and organizations on the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). He provided technical assistance and counseling about disability laws and policies via the Southwest ADA Center telephone and internet service, helping hundreds of individuals as he did so.

George engaged in many community activities. He served a term on the Houston Commission on Disabilities, appointed there by Mayor Sylvester Turner. He also served on the committee that caused Uber to provide wheelchair accessible ride services in Houston.

George was an accomplished painter and illustrator. He was also an avid sports fan and could be frequently seen wearing one of his many Rockets' caps or shirts. George helped rescue several mixed breed dogs and adopted two of them who became cherished companions.

George was a warm and gentle person who enjoyed the company of his colleagues and friends. He made a lasting impression on all those who knew him, and he will be deeply missed. George is survived by his mother, Ineza Chelidze, of Spring, Texas.

To honor George's memory, a fund to support disability rights and advocacy training at TIRR has been established at the Memorial Hermann Foundation. Contributions to the George Powers Memorial Fund can be made online at

http://memorialhermann.org/donate , by mail at 929 Gessner, Suite 2650, Houston, TX 77024 or by calling 713-242-4400.

A Zoom program to celebrate and remember the life of George M. Powers will be held Wednesday, July 20 at 12:00 noon. Please join from your device at: https://memorialhermann.zoom.us/j/97266656380?pwd=V2JZTlZ5SUt0ZUxkTlNYVndTTm9aQT09 (Please note: this meeting will be recorded)

For further information about this event, please call 713-520-0232.