Joseph Denis Powers

Joseph Denis “Denny” Powers was born in Houston, Texas on November 16, 1930 and died on March 19, 2022. He was the youngest of six siblings and the last family member remaining. His parents, C. Stewart Powers and Bessie R. Powers, were native Houstonians and his grandparents arrived here in the 1850’s and 1870’s. Denny attended St. Anne grade school, St. Thomas High School, Rice University and Tulane University. While at Tulane he met his wife, Judith F. Baehr, and persuaded her to spend the next 67 years together. They were blessed with three daughters: Pam Powers, Cynthia Powers, and Julie Reyes plus three sons by marriage; Dan Russ, Paul Babiarz, and Homer Reyes. They had three grandsons, Chris Cleboski (Wendy), Stephen Cleboski (Kelsie), and Matthew Sorrels; and one granddaughter, Allison R. Hinojosa (Spencer). In 2018, he and Judy were blessed with three great grandchildren: Olivia Cleboski, Andrea Cleboski, and Owen Hinojosa. During his life Denny had many friends who shared fun times together from his teenage years until he died. He delighted in family times, fishing, hunting, and traveling. He did have a hobby – he collected memories and particularly enjoyed recalling fun times, friendships, travel adventures, and those fish caught and almost caught. He helped where possible in his community and church. In civic matters he was a licensed Professional Engineer, a fellow in the AIChE, and industry representative of the first local Emergency Planning Committee, and a former member of the Denka Chemical Corporation Board of Directors. In his church he served as a lector and Eucharistic Minister since the mid-1960’s. In addition to people he also loved dogs, especially Airedales and Golden Retrievers. A visitation will begin at 5:00 p.m., with a recitation of the Holy Rosary at 7:30 p.m., on Thursday, March 24, 2022 at Joseph J Earthman Generations, 234 Westcott Street in Houston, Texas A Mass of the Resurrection will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m., on Friday, March 25, 2022 at St. Anne Catholic Community, 2140 Westheimer Road in Houston, Texas. Those people who enjoyed his company will be honorary pallbearers thereby avoiding a hernia for any person his age who might try to carry Denny in a casket. Contributions are requested to be made to the education fund at St. Thomas High School, the Incarnate Word Academy sisters at the convent on Bradford Street, or the charity of your choice. For those people too selfish to donate to any charity, please treat yourself to dinner.

Joseph Denis Powers

November 16, 1930 - March 19, 2022