Jackie Eugene “Butch” Powers

Jackie Eugene “Butch” Powers, age 76, of Aurora, Missouri, passed away on Tuesday, May 26, 2026, at the Ascend Nursing Center in Aurora, Missouri, following a long illness. He was born on September 15, 1949, in Aurora to Jack and Lois (Smith) Powers.
Butch was a lifelong resi- dent of the Aurora community. Following his gradua- tion from Aurora High School in 1967, Butch worked at Vaisey-Bristol Shoe Com- pany in Marionville until its closing in the 1980s. He later worked at the City of Aurora and MFA Mill until his retirement.
Outside of work, Butch’s greatest passion was horses. He owned and loved several horses since his early 20’s and cherished the time he spent riding with local groups and close friends. Known for his incredible memory, Butch could recall people and events from throughout his life in vivid detail. He was a gifted storyteller who loved to share those memories, often adding a few colorful embellishments to ensure a good laugh. His most enjoyable times were spent volunteering at the Making a Difference Riding Center where he could share his love for working with horses.
Butch was preceded in death by his parents, Jack and Lois Powers.
Butch is survived by his brother, John (Ginny) Powers of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, his nieces and nephew, Shawn (Mike) Griggs of Pittsburg, Kansas, Chad (Diana) Estes of Aurora, Missouri, and Ashley (Demond) Riouse of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, as well as many extended family members and dear friends.
In honoring Butch’s wishes, cremation will take place and the family will gather for a private memorial service. Arrangements are under the direction of Crafton-Cantrell Funeral Home in Aurora, Missouri.
To celebrate his love for animals, the fam- ily requests that in lieu of flowers, memorial donations be made to the Castaway Animals Rescue Effort (C.A.R.E.) at PO Box 215 Aurora, MO 65605. Online condolences may be shared at www. CraftonCantrellFuneralHome.com