Jonathan Dixie Powers

Jonathan Dixie Powers, 77, of Plano, Texas, passed away peacefully at his home, surrounded by family after a long battle with lung problems. He was born December 1, 1936, in Winamac, Indiana, a son of the late Thurman Earl and Ethel Kuntz. Dixie grew up in South Bend, Indiana and graduated from Riley High School and continued his education at Indiana University where he graduated with honors with a degree in Radio-Television Creative Writing. On Jan. 2, 1960, he was united in marriage to Shirley Ann Scott. He served three years as a motion picture project officer in the United States Air Force. After his service he worked for Centron Corporation in Lawrence Kansas where he created educational films and produced films for many fortune 500 companies. He left Centron as General Manager in 1986. The last job of his career was at the Missouri Department of Conservation where he was Director of Public Affairs and enjoyed being the voice for the wonderful wildlife of Missouri. He and his wife enjoyed 20 years in Jefferson City. In 2006, he moved to Plano, Texas, where he and his wife could be near family and two of their four grandchildren. Throughout his life, he loved to fish. When it was too cold to fish, he loved woodworking. He took great pride in making pieces of furniture used by the family including two cradles for grandbabies. He was a voracious reader, a love for literature that he passed on to his family. For 54 years, he showed the love of his life how much he cared and was always her best friend. He always put his family first and was his children's #1 fishing buddy, home-work checker, storyteller, project mentor, "leprechaun hunter", bedtime story-reader, and consoler. He is survived by his loving wife of 54 years, Shirley Powers; three daughters, Julie Schoerke of Nashville, Diane Groves and husband Mark of Plano, and Jill Powers, formerly of Plano; four grandchildren, Chandler and Amanda Schoerke of Nashville, and Benjamin and Madeline Groves of Plano. A private memorial service will be held September 6th. The family thanks Silverado Hospice for the wonderful care they provided to Dixie and the family, especially Winfred and Fortune. Also, thanks to Dr. Schrader for his healthcare and always being there for Dixie. Expressions of sympathy can be made to the Nature Conservancy in Arlington Virginia.