John Ralph Powers Jr.

John Ralph Powers, Jr., 66, passed away peacefully on February 1st while in hospice in Cincinnati, Ohio, where he had resided for over a decade. A native of Laurel, Mississippi, John attended West Jones High school from 1972-1976. He graduated from Brandon High School in Brandon, Mississippi before fulfilling his lifelong dream of joining the Marine Corps. Completing boot camp in 1977, John served as a Marine infantryman with the 5th, 6th, and 8th Marine regiments. He participated in numerous deployments, exercises, and crisis responses around the globe, from the Pacific to the Mediterranean and the Arabian and Persian Gulf. His most enjoyable tour of duty was as a drill instructor at Parris Island, South Carolina from 1981-1983. John served with honor and courage during Operation DESERT SHIELD and DESERT STORM in 1990-1991, supporting the defense of the Saudi peninsula and the liberation of Kuwait. His numerous awards included the Navy Achievement Medal, the Combat Action Ribbon, and five Good Conduct Medals. After retiring from the Corps, John settled in Cincinnati where he enjoyed meeting people, making new friends, and spending time outdoors with his beloved dogs. Diagnosed with lung and liver cancer in late summer of 2022, he courageously fought this illness with focused resolve, tremendous faith, and a happy heart. Our family would like to acknowledge the phenomenal love and support he received from his close Cincinnati friends, from immediate and extended family, from former neighbors in Laurel and Brandon, and from his fellow Marines and West Jones classmates throughout his toughest battle. John was preceded in death by his father, John Ralph Powers, Sr. in 1998 and by his mother, Jo Helen Powers (nee Hurst) in 2016, both from Laurel. He is survived by his younger brother, Joel Russell Powers, of Stafford, Virginia. He is also survived by two sons, John Ross and Michael Joel Powers, of Newnan, Georgia. A memorial service to honor his life will be held at Memory Chapel Funeral Home in Laurel on February 17 at 2:00 PM. Visitation for family members will begin at 12:00 P.M., with visitation for friends commencing at 12:30 PM. He will be laid to rest at Lake Park Cemetery in Laurel following the memorial service. Prior to his passing, and in lieu of flowers, John respectfully requested donations be made to his favorite charity, St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital, or to any other cancer-related charity.

John Ralph Powers Jr.

January 10, 1958 - February 1, 2024