Jerry Dean Powers

Jerry Powers was born on April 6, 1944, in Wichita, Kansas, to David and Lorene Powers. He was their second child, with an older sister, Beverly, and a younger sister, Debbie. From an early age, Jerry loved sports and fishing, and he was known as a happy, friendly young man who made friends wherever he went.

When Jerry was young, his family moved from Wichita to Phoenix, Arizona. Later, when his father was laid off from work, the family moved to Pasadena, California. It was there that Jerry became deeply involved in the Bresee Avenue Church of the Nazarene. On his very first Sunday in the youth group, Jerry met Nadine Robinson. She was a sophomore in high school, and Jerry was a junior. During a mission trip to the Navajo Nation, their friendship blossomed into a relationship, beginning a love story that would span more than six decades.

Jerry and Nadine both attended Pasadena High School, graduating one year apart. After dating for three and a half years, they were married on July 24, 1964, at Bresee Avenue Church of the Nazarene.

During the early years of their marriage, Jerry supported their family by delivering newspapers for the Pasadena Star-News while he and Nadine attended Pasadena College. After Nadine completed her freshman year, she began working for orthopedic surgeons in Pasadena while Jerry finished his studies. He graduated with a degree in Biology, originally planning to teach and work with young people.

Working with youth, however, was much more than simply a career possibility for Jerry—it was his calling and his first love. For many years he had volunteered with young people, never imagining that he could make a living doing what he loved most. It soon became clear, though, that Jerry had a special gift for connecting with teenagers and making a lasting difference in their lives.

Just before graduating from college, Jerry received a call from Eastside Church of the Nazarene in Phoenix, inviting him to become their full-time youth pastor. It was a dream come true. After serving there, he was called back to his home church, Bresee Avenue, where he served as youth pastor.

Jerry and Nadine then moved to Porterville, California, where he served the Porterville Church of the Nazarene full-time for eight years. He absolutely loved his years there. By that time, Jerry and Nadine had four children, and their family continued to grow in faith and love through the many churches and communities they served.

Jerry's ministry later took the family to Roseburg, Oregon; Bakersfield, California, where he served as a senior pastor; Spokane, Washington, as an associate pastor; Colville, Washington, as a senior pastor; and finally Tehachapi, California, where he served as senior pastor for 21 years.

Of all his ministry assignments, Tehachapi held a particularly special place in Jerry's heart. He became deeply involved not only in the church, but also in the schools and throughout the community. His ministry was never confined to the church building. Wherever Jerry went, he looked for opportunities to encourage people, especially young people, and to let them know they mattered.

After retiring from full-time ministry in 2009, Jerry continued to serve. He accepted interim pastorates in Modesto, California, and Maui, Hawaii. Later, Jerry and Nadine moved to Bakersfield, California, where Jerry served as an administrative pastor at Olive Knolls Church of the Nazarene.

When their youngest son invited them to move to Idaho to be closer to their youngest grandchildren, there was no question—they were going. After arriving in Nampa, they discovered that retirement was not quite as affordable as they had hoped, so Jerry and Nadine began managing a storage facility. Although the work itself was not especially difficult, Jerry realized that it kept them away from their grandchildren more than they had intended.

Jerry then trained to become a school bus driver and drove for Brown Bus Company serving the Nampa School District for several years. Once again, he found himself exactly where he loved to be: around kids. He often said, "I always want to make sure I lift kids up on the first part of the day and at the end of the day."

That simple statement captured so much of who Jerry was. He wanted people—especially children and young people—to begin and end their days knowing that someone cared about them.

In the last three or four years of Jerry's life, vascular dementia and Alzheimer's disease began to take an increasing toll. In September 2025, he moved into Memory Care at Grace Assisted Living in Meridian, Idaho. The staff there cared for Jerry with tremendous compassion and love. What began as a place of care became another mission field for Nadine and the family, as they continued to love and encourage those around them.

Jerry's family was able to be with him near the end of his life. Nadine and his sons were there to say their final goodbyes.

And now, after a lifetime of faith, ministry, family, friendship, and service, Jerry is finally healed.

Praise God.

Jerry is survived by his beloved wife of 62 years, Nadine Powers; their children, Kevin & Carrie Austin, Danny & Camie Davies, Dean (Jeff) Powers, and Drs. Ben & Joelle Powers; his siblings, Larry & Beverly Kinsel and Debbie Burris; two nieces and two nephews; eight grandchildren and their spouses, including Zac Austin, Alex & Jordan Esplin, Caleb & Katarina Austin, Seth & Angelyn Austin, , Jackson Powers, Cole Powers, Madison Davies, and Caitlin Davies; and one great-grandchild, Frankie Penuelas.

Jerry leaves behind far more than a list of accomplishments. He leaves behind generations of people who were encouraged by him, young people who knew they were loved, churches and communities that were strengthened by his service, and a family who knew the depth of his love.

He lived his life serving God, loving his family, investing in young people, and lifting others up.

His earthly race is finished.

His work is done.

His faith has become sight.

Well done, good and faithful servant.

Celebration of Life

August 29, 2026 — 10:00 a.m. College Church of the Nazarene 504 East Dewey Street Nampa, Idaho 83686

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Trinity Pines Christian Camp (55 SW 5th Ave., Ste. 100, Meridian, ID 83642 ) in Cascade, Idaho, or the Nampa College Church Youth Fund.