Calvin Powers

CALVIN S. POWERS, Suddenly on Friday, March 3, 2017 at the age of 88. Beloved husband of Shirley M. Powers (nee Sekrit); father of Stephen M. Powers, William "Scott" Powers, Catherine (Michael) Robbs and the late Cheryl Powers; grandfather of 6, great grandfather of 3, uncle, cousin and friend to many. Mr. Powers instate at JOHN L. ZIEGENHEIN & SONS FUNERAL HOMES 7027 Gravois on Tuesday from 9:00am until time of service at 11:00am. Interment: Sunset Memorial Park. Calvin Scott Powers was known as "Pop" or "Grandpa" by those closest to him. Grandpa was born in East Millinocket, Maine, and his family were known as loggers near the now historic town of Powersville. His father was a carpenter, who specialized in making violins and fine furniture. One of Grandpa's best stories is how he came to leave his hometown. He said he joined the United States Air Force during a particularly harsh winter when he saw a recruitment advertisement for the military. He thought to himself, I bet I can go to warmer weather with them. Grandpa originally joined the Air Force to be a carpenter, like his father, but was recruited to be a radio repair technician for the then new B-36 Bomber. While in radio repair technician training at Scott Air Force Base, Illinois, Grandpa met the love of his life, Shirley Sekrit at the fairgrounds of East Saint Louis. They married a year later and shared over 66 years together. In the early 1950's, the Air Force transferred him to New Mexico. While there, Grandpa finished his tour with the military and got a job with McDonnell Douglas. He worked as an electrical technician, which included building the spacecraft equipment and training the U.S. astronauts to use the spacecraft equipment while in space. During his early career with McDonnell Douglas, Grandpa was part of the small team that designed, built, and programmed NASA's first human spaceflight aircrafts, including the Mercury, Gemini, Skylab and Minute Man II programs. During the 1970's, Grandpa moved his family back to Saint Louis to continue working on McDonnell Douglas' aerospace program and to raise his family. After 37 years at McDonnell Douglas, Grandpa retired in 1993 and spent most of his time enjoying many outdoor hobbies such as hunting, fishing, and camping. Grandpa loved his wife Shirley dearly and was a good father to Cheryl, Stephen, Scott, and Cathy. He will be missed by his grandchildren Eric, Sara, Timothy, Stephanie, Kristen, and Jonathon. His great grandchildren, Cora, Charlotte, and Ella will learn of him through stories of his kind heart, sneaky sense of humor, and strong family values. He is predeceased by his parents Scott Powers, Sarah Farrington; and his siblings Chester "Gus" Powers, Violette Sambrook, Guy Powers, and Jane Lynch. March 7, 2017
09:00 am - 11:00 am
John L. Ziegenhein & Sons Funeral Homes
7027 Gravois Ave., St. Louis, MO 63116
March 7, 2017
11:00 am - 11:30 pm
Chapel of John L. Ziegenhein & Sons Funeral Homes
7027 Gravois Ave., St. Louis, MO 63116