Thomas F. X. Powers of Silver City passed away at home on September 19. Born in 1940, he was the second child of Thomas F. and Catherine Low Powers of Wakefield MA; the family moved to Silver City in 1951. Tom was known for many things especially the love he had for his family and his true pride and joy, his grandchildren. He was never one to sit still and instilled in his children the values of hard work, persistence, and being thoughtful of others. He was also passionate about teaching, coaching and traveling, especially to Mexico. He was blessed with many lifelong friends and enjoyed the time he spent with them, whether it be playing fast pitch softball, officiating basketball and football, cutting firewood in the Gila, or spending Sunday afternoons with students, friends, and family at Signal Peak when there was good snow for tubing and sledding. He also served as a multi-term Silver City Town Councilman in the mid-1970’s.
A man who loved learning, Tom earned both his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees at WNMU. He was an educator and a coach for over 30 years with the Cobre Consolidated School District. The teams that he coached saw great success, regularly earning district and state championships including ten Girls State Softball Championships which led to numerous coaching awards at the state and national level.
Whether on the field or in the classroom, Tom was in it for the joy of the game, and anyone who wanted to be in the game had to perform in both venues. While celebrating every championship, he took greater satisfaction in helping thousands of student-athletes learn valuable life lessons, among them twenty-four students who obtained college scholarships that would forever shape their future. For Tom, the surest way to improve his own life was to help improve the lives of others.
After his retirement he and his wife Linda travelled regularly to Mexico. They both treasured spending times with the Tarahumara Indians of Copper Canyon often bringing food, clothing and toys for the children.
Tom is survived by his five children and nine grandchildren: Tom [Michelle] of Atlanta and children Olivia and Thomas; Suzie [Scott] Williamson of Lake Ridge, VA and sons James and Michael; Sheila Powers [Tom] of Houston and her sons Zachary and Aidan; Joseph of El Paso and his son Elijah; and Erin Powers [Brian] of Albuquerque and her children Kai and Madison. His four siblings also survive him: Maureen [Rudy] Carrillo of Dallas and their children Patti, Susan, and David; Kate Powers of West Hartford, CT; Michael, [Kathie] of Round Rock, TX; and Bill, [Edna] of Silver City and their daughters Rachel and Holly. He was preceded in death by his wife, Linda Telles Powers.
Visitation will be Thursday, September 24 from 5-6pm at Terrazas Funeral Chapels with the holy rosary to begin at 6pm. The funeral mass will be celebrated on Friday, September 25 at 9am at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church with Father Oliver Obele officiating. Pallbearers are Tom Powers, Joseph Powers, Michael Williamson, James Williamson, Brian Arvizo, and Scott Williamson. Honor pallbearers will be Bill Powers, Michael Powers, Jerry Drake, Tony Garcia, Chava Puentes, Dr. Gilbert Arizaga, Zachary and Aidan Mesa, Kai Restine, Luis M Terrazas, and Tom Hood. Concluding service cremation will follow. In lieu of flowers, family requests donations can be made to Tom Powers Memorial Scholarship Fund via 1st NM Bank Acct # 3052356520 for Cobre High School student athletes.
Arrangements are with Terrazas Funeral Chapels and Crematory “Trusted care for the ones you love” ~ 575-537-0777. To send condolences, visit www.terrazasfuneralchapel.com.