John Duncan Powers, Sr. of Lumberton passed away on February 5 at Duke University Medical Center after an extended illness. John or "J. D." as he was known to his family and friends was born on March 14, 1940 in the Barker Ten Mile Community. He was preceded in death by his parents Bruce and Ella Ivey Powers. John attended Barker Ten Mile Elementary School and Littlefield High School where he graduated at the top of his class. Continuing his education he attended Campbell University and then North Carolina State University where his major was civil engineering. Throughout his educational career he continued to demonstrate that he was gifted academically. While still in high school John began working with the North Carolina Department of Transportation during summer breaks. After college he became a full-time employee in the engineering department. Always industrious he started surveying land after work and on Saturdays. John soon realized that he had more surveying work than he could manage part-time and left the NC DOT to open his own business known as John D. Powers Surveying. He quickly earned a reputation as a surveyor who always used the most up-to-date equipment available and who drew maps with such precision and accuracy that he gained a following of loyal clients. John was mild mannered, even tempered, and always thought before he spoke so it was only natural that he was liked and respected by both clients and employees. He was a former member of the Lumberton Chamber of Commerce. John was a lifelong member of Ten Mile Baptist Church and served as a deacon there in prior years. He also set up the system for the cemetery plots and managed it as long as he was physically able. He was active in the church until he became too ill to attend on a regular basis. John was a man who never complained even through his seemingly endless battle with serious health problems. He loved his family and that kept him going during all the struggles with his debilitating illness. John is survived by his wife Margaret of the home, two sons John, Jr. of Lumberton and Robert and his wife Glenda of Charlotte. He is also survived by two sisters Joyce Powers Wellington and husband Tommy and Gail Powers Prescott all of Lumberton as well as one brother Glenn Powers of Lumberton. John is also survived by six grandchildren: J.R., Christopher, and Jessica Powers of Lumberton and Tara Busch Thompson and husband Bryan of Atlanta, Georgia, Nicholas Busch of Italy, and Timothy Busch of Charlotte. He is also survived by two nephews Keith Powers and wife Priscilla and Michael Prescott of Lumberton. There are also many nieces and nephews on his wife's side that he was very close to as well. There are a host of other relatives and friends that he leaves behind.