Joseph Michael Powers

Joseph M. Powers, 90, of Palmyra, Virginia died peacefully at home on Saturday, July 13, 2024, from COVID-19. 

Joe was born on October 17, 1933, in Washington D.C. As a young boy, he spent his summers on Native American reservations in Nebraska and Montana, travelling alone by train and bus. As a 12-year-old, he testified before Congressman Thomas D’Alesandro’s sub-committee on Washington D.C. about the lack of – and need for - playgrounds and baseball fields. He won the Washington D.C. city-wide debate contest while a student at Theodore Roosevelt High School, graduating in 1951. He attended The Catholic University of America where he met his future wife Linda (von Bodecker) Powers. They had two children, Patricia, and John. He is survived by his wife of nearly 15 years, Virginia (Smith) Powers of Palmyra, his half-sister Joanna of Hampstead, Maryland, daughter, Patricia of Kirchdorf, Germany, son, John of Washington D.C. grandsons Christian, Timm, and Cameron, granddaughter Annika, and two great grandchildren.

After college, Joe began his career at the Armed Services Technical Information Agency, then housed at the Library of Congress. While there, he developed a life-long passion for reading – the classics, history, and art were among his favorites. Later in his career, he joined the Office of the Secretary of Defense where he led efforts to modernize information systems.

Joe served as Scoutmaster for Boy Scout Troop 996 in Alexandria, Virginia and enjoyed camping, hiking, sailing, and exploring historical sites around Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and West Virginia with his troop. He enjoyed traveling, spending a few weeks each summer visiting family in what was then West Germany. Joe could not drive by a castle, church or museum without stopping and learning its history.

He enjoyed helping others in his community. He helped immigrants find housing and work, start businesses, bring family to the United States, and become naturalized U.S. citizens. And he enjoyed animals, especially German Shepards, and adopted or fostered countless dogs and cats. On retiring from Federal service after 34 years, he moved from Alexandria to Palmyra in 1989. After a life in the city and the Pentagon, he most enjoyed the peace and tranquility of Deerfield Farm – reading books, watching deer and wildlife, listening to classical music and enjoying his family. 

Joe was preceded in death by his mother, Anna Elsie Powers and father, John Brinker, his half siblings, Luke, Mary, Josephine, Richard, Anna, Theresa, Elizabeth, and James, and his first wife Linda.

Funeral services will be held at the Sheridan Funeral Home, 4626 Cedar Lane Road, Kents Store, Virginia on Tuesday, July 23 at 11:00 a.m., with a visitation an hour prior. Burial will be private at Monticello Memory Garden in Charlottesville.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Fluvanna County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals - Shelter | Animal Shelter | Virginia (fspca.org)