George L. Powers, 64, of Columbia, died Jan. 1, 2014.

He was born June 24, 1949, in Baton Rouge, La., son of the late PCCM George A. and Ruby Louise (Crook) Powers.

George had received his Master of Public Affairs Degree from North Carolina State University in 1977.

He had served in the U.S. Navy on the USS Bigelow and the USS John F. Kennedy from January 1972 to February 1976.

He retired from the U.S. Naval Reserve in 1993 at the rank of Commander, and was a member of American Legion Post 581 in Columbia.

He had also retired from the Internal Revenue Service, where he developed Human Resource Reporting Applications

Survivors include his loving partner Jean Stroisch; her two sons Michael R. Stroisch and Daniel (Emily) Stroisch; grandson Henry Stroisch; daughter Laura Beth Powers; son SSG Brian

Laurin Powers; brother Michael L. Powers; niece, Laurie Faye Powers; and former spouse Mary C. Powers.

Private graveside services with full military honors will be held at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery in St. Louis.

Memorials may be made to the Food Pantry at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Columbia or St. Paul United Church of Christ – Building Fund in Columbia.