Part 1 of a 2 Part Mission
The family of JOHN WILLIAM POWERS, CHIEF YEOMAN, UNITED STATES NAVY, DECEMBER 10, 1934 – DECEMBER 30, 2023, has invited the Patriot Guard Riders to attend services in Ridgecrest on JANUARY 20, 2024, and accompany their HERO to his final place of rest at Miramar National Cemetery on Monday JANUARY 22, 2024. We are Honored to accompany him and his family.
John was born December 10, 1934, in Grand Rapids, Michigan and passed away peacefully in his home in Ridgecrest on December 30, 2023, due to health complications.
He began his career in the United States Navy serving aboard ships specializing in Logistics from August 15, 1952, through March 15, 1974. During his 20+ year career, he was stationed in Japan where he met his wife Sakiko Powers. After they married, they moved to Honolulu, Hawaii where they gave birth to their first child, Toni Powers-Kendrick. This is also where he retired out of the Navy to move onto his new career as a Field Representative with the Social Security Administration then later transferred to Seattle, Washington where they gave birth to their second child, Terri Powers-Hand and then continued his service with Social Security in Ridgecrest, California office for 13 years. In Ridgecrest, they gave birth to two sons, John Paul Powers, and James Joseph Powers. He then went to work at China Lake Naval Base as a Human Resources Representative specializing in federal retirements, finally retiring from federal service on January 3, 1997. He then decided to try entrepreneurship and opened JP Enterprises, providing federal retirement consulting services to the public, contracting with the federal government, providing retirement seminars which he eventually retired from for the last time.
His local memberships include the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the American Legion, and the Loyal Order of Moose.
He leaves behind his loving wife of 55 years, Sakiko Powers, daughter, Toni Kendrick of Bakersfield and her children Erika Kendrick, Tiffany Kendrick, Breahnna Moreno and Alyssa Moreno and two great grandchildren, William and Ezequiel, daughter, Terri Hand of San Diego with her son, Tyler Hand, son, John P. Powers of San Diego with wife Jacquie Powers and their daughter Vianna Powers, and son, James Powers of Bakersfield with wife Sunmi and two beautiful daughters Evelyn and Emily.
A wake will be held at Holland & Lyons Mortuary, 216 S. Norma Street, in Ridgecrest, CA on Friday, January 19th from 10:00AM-1:00PM, followed by a funeral service the next day at St. Ann’s Catholic Church, 446 W. Church Street, Ridgecrest, CA at 10:00AM on Saturday, January 20th with a small reception immediately following in the Parish Hall.
There is an honorary reception later in the day at the American Legion at 4:00PM.
Full Military Honors will be held at Miramar National Cemetery, 5795 Nobel Drive, San Diego, CA at 2:15PM on Monday, January 22, 2024, with a reception to follow. Information on the reception will be provided at the burial service.
NOTE: This mission posting is to facilitate your voluntary participation in honoring this Military Veteran. For those interested, and all PGR members are welcome, please see the time table if you would like to participate.
TIMETABLE FOR PART #1 SATURDAY 20 JANUARY 20240830 – STAGE – Holland and Lyons Mortuary, 216 S. Norma St. Ridgecrest, CA 93555.
https://maps.app.goo.gl/xWE1RXGszw9KT56V70845 – MISSION BRIEF
0855 – FLAG LINE - for dignified transfer of HERO from Mortuary to coach.
0900 – KSU – to Saint Ann Catholic Church, 446 W. Church St, Ridgecrest, California 93555,
https://maps.app.goo.gl/GuTAdiznumv5emW2A 0910 – FLAG LINE – for dignified transfer of HERO from coach to chapel.
0915 – DISMISSED UNTIL 1110
1000 – MASS BEGINS
1110 – ASSEMBLE AND PREPARE FOR FLAGLINE
1120 – FLAG LINE – for dignified transfer from chapel to coach.
1130 – KSU – to return to Holland and Lyons Mortuary.
1135 – ARRIVAL - Holland and Lyons Mortuary.
1145 – FLAG LINE – for dignified transfer of HERO from coach to Mortuary.
1150 – DISMISSED
*NOTE – ALL TIMES ARE APPROXIMATE.
Ride Captain
Scoti TomlinsonSoCal PGR Ride Captain
760-499-4950
tomlinsonscot@yahoo.com
IWV Patriot Guard Riders on FB
You do not have to be a Veteran or a motorcycle rider to attend this mission. All PGR members are welcome. We encourage those who do not ride to attend in your car. If this will be your first mission go to the initial staging area and you will be briefed there by the Ride Captain (RC). Dress for motorcycle riding or dress casually if you are driving a cage (car). Please feel free to attend any portion of this mission you can. Please ride/drive safely.
Please remember that our mission is to stand tall and silent, and with honor and respect for our Heroes. No talking, smoking, or cell phone use during the flag line or service. Please keep radios off and engine noise to a minimum.
