Vernon Leo (Fearless) Powers Vern was born on November 28th 1930 to Harry and Abbie Powers (Tate) in Dayton Washington. He was one of 7 children. He lived 32.382 days, and then died on July 26, 2019 in Kennewick Washington. In those 32,382 days, Vern accomplished a lot. He was the first in his family to graduate high school. He gained the nickname "Fearless" by his willingness to face people and circumstance larger than him. He may not have always won, but he always gave it a go! Vern participated in Football and Track in high school. He was quite successful in Track, being invited to participate in the State track meet. After graduation Vern followed his Brother Marion and enlisted in the Air Force. After graduating Tech School as a Teletype Mechanic, he was deployed to Gaum during the Korean War. After his deployment overseas, Vern was attached to the 656th ACandW Squadron and was stationed at the Schuylerville Radar Site, later renamed the Saratoga Springs Air Force Station in New York. During his 4-year enlistment, he achieved the rank of Staff Sergeant. While stationed in New York, he was introduced to Martha Humphrey on a blind date. Martha said she knew he was "The One" from the moment she saw him walking up the steps to her home. She was right! Vern drove across the country from Dayton to Stillwater New York with his brother Marion in August 1955. Vern and Martha were married August 27th 1955. Vern, Martha and Marion then drove back across the country to settle in Dayton Washington. Soon after returning Vern was hired by Pacific Northwest Bell as a Teletype Repairman. Their first home was a 32 ft Spartan trailer they purchased in 1956. They lived right next door to the current Century garage on 3rd street in Pasco. Vern was temporarily assigned to Walla Walla during an installation of a new Central Office there. They returned to Pasco and lived there until July 1958. They purchased a home in Burbank Heights in July 1958 and it was there they lived for the next 57 years. Vern was active in the Burbank Community. He was a volunteer firefighter with the Walla Walla County Fire Protection District #5 for many years, attaining the rank of Captain of Station #4. Vern, Lee Brickey, and several others were responsible for purchasing Burbank's first ambulance from Bruce Lee Memorial Chapel in Pasco. Vern was also in the early classes for Emergency Medical Technician when the EMT program was in its infancy. He retired from the department after turning 65. He also enjoyed participating in community board meetings, sometimes being the boards best friend and sometime being a thorn in their side. He was glad to serve in either role! Vern worked for the Pacific Northwest Bell until the courts divested the Bell System in 1982. He went to work for ATandT until his retirement in 1986. Almost immediately after retiring from ATandT, Vern's entrepreneurial spirit took over and he and Martha formed Telco Wiring and Repair Inc. They grew the business to where they needed help and brought their two sons, Dusty and Herb on board. The company grew from being housed in an old bedroom in their home in Burbank to a company that exceeded Vern's wildest dreams. Vern had the gift of gab. He would talk to anyone about anything. He enjoyed visiting with people and people enjoyed visiting with him. He was also known for his sense of humor. He exhibited that sense of humor right up until the end. He was also known to pull a practical joke or two on people, especially his co-workers at the telephone company and the Fire Department. Any time something was amiss, they would cast sideways glances at Vern, wondering what he was up to. It was not always him, but often times it was. Vern was a compassionate and caring person, doing what needed to be done, no matter how hard it was. He always wanted to help and do more if he could. When his brother Marion died last August, we saw Vern push back the dementia that had him in its grip, and become a big brother to his youngest brother Don and his youngest sister Ilene, providing comfort and brotherly wisdom. It always amazed us that his core personality would push through the dementia and manifest itself when necessary. Vern was a spiritual person. He accepted Jesus Christ, but hardly ever attended church. During his last week of life, while in the hospital, he was surrounded by family and friends. He would loudly and often proclaim how blessed he was. He loved unconditionally. He lived his life without regrets and went Home with a clear conscience and a joyful heart. Vern was proceeded in death by his parents, Harry and Abbie Powers, his sisters Margie and Naomi and his brothers Dale and Marion, who he was particularly close to. He is survived by his bride of nearly 64 years, Martha, his sons Dusty, wife Pam and Herb, wife Gaylene, grandchildren Andrew, Erik, Robin and John, and his great grandchildren Preston, Kaitlyn, Hailey and Coleson, his brother Don and sister Ilene and a huge number of nieces and nephews. A graveside service will be held August 9th at the Desert Lawn Memorial Park at 11:00 AM. A celebration of Vern's life will be held Saturday August 10 at the Burbank Grange Hall at 1:00 PM.