Dr. Leander K. Powers

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Celebrating the life of
Dr. Leander K. PowersDecember 14, 1913 - June 13, 2009

Leander K. Powers, MD, died June 13 at St. Joseph's Hospital after a brief illness. He had practiced medicine in Savannah since 1946 when he opened a solo family practice at an office on Jones Street, which at that time, was where most of the physicians' offices were located.
In 1973 he was designated a civil surgeon by what is now the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Citizenship and Immigration Services. He considered his work for the government to be an honor and a privilege. A native of Guyton, Dr. Powers was Grand Marshal of the 2008 Guyton Christmas parade and delighted to be driven in a convertible by a "pretty girl." He loved the city of his birth and visited there weekly to tend to his cows until he became ill. He was proud to be the son of a country physician, the late Dr. Bruce P. and Maggie Cubbedge Powers.
He received a bachelor of science degree in pharmacy from the University of Georgia in 1935 one of only seven pharmacy school grads that year and, following the death of his father, operated the family-owned drugstore in Guyton for a year before entering medical school. He graduated from the University of Georgia Medical School now the Medical College of Georgia in 1940 and served residencies at Doctor's Hospital in Washington, D.C. and Warren G. Candler Hospital in Savannah.
He was a member of the medical staffs at St. Joseph's/Candler and Memorial hospitals. He also treated patients at the Oglethorpe Sanitarium, Charity Hospital and the Georgia Infirmary. In 2005 he received a lifetime achievement award from the Georgia Medical Society. He was a charter fellow of the American Academy of Family Physicians, a life member of the Southern Medical Association, a founding member of the Alee Temple Shrine Medical Unit and a Board of Trustees member emeritus, Scottish Rite Children's Hospital, Atlanta, Ga.
Early in his career, in addition to treating private patients, Dr. Powers was a physician for various businesses, including the Veterans Administration, the American Red Cross and the Union Bag Athletic Association. For years, during the era of glass syringes and sterilizers, he routinely gave on-site flu shots to employees of Colonial Oil Industries, Inc. and the Savannah Bank and Trust Co. From the late 1950s to 1970 he was a quarantine officer for the U.S. Public Health Service and routinely visited ships in port and often had to climb the "Jacob's ladders," with medical bag in hand, to board ships.
As a boy, Dr. Powers learned to play tennis on the Morgan family court, the only tennis court in Guyton. In 1930, he and his doubles partner were the Savannah Junior Boys Doubles Champions. In 2003, he was inducted into the Effingham County Athletic Hall of Fame for his tennis accomplishments. He was a graduate of Guyton High School and Gordon Junior College where he was commander of the band, captain of the tennis team and singles tennis champion. After graduating from medical school and serving his residencies, he enlisted in the U.S. Army and participated in the Invasion of Sicily with the 45th Infantry Division as a captain in the medical corps. He received several medals, including the Bronze Star and was mentioned by name in war correspondent Ernie Pyle's book, "Brave Men."
As Pyle wrote, "These men lived a rough-and-tumble life. They slept on the ground, worked ghastly hours, were sometimes under fire, and handled a flow of wounded that would sicken and dishearten a person less immune to it … they'll get little glory back home when it's all over, but they had some recompense right there in the gratitude of the men they treated."

He was a member of and deacon at First Baptist Church of Savannah and a member and former president of the Georgia Salzburger Society. He was a 33rd Degree Mason and a former member of the Royal Order of Jesters.
He was a longtime member of the Savannah Golf Club, having joined in 1947. During the years he played golf, he had three holes in one. In recent years he looked forward to working out with the staff at Chatham Orthopedic & Sports Medicine, especially Kristel Maes who always brought a smile to his sweet face. He loved to piddle around in his workshop, fix things and tend to his camellias and azaleas. He especially loved going to lunch at Clary's Cafe downtown and being greeted as "Doc" by the staff.
He was a dear, good man with a kind and gentle nature. He loved his family, his church and the practice of medicine. For nearly 40 years he worked side by side with Betty Welch, a caring angel on Earth. The family also is grateful to Mary Murphy and Beatrice Perry for their kindnesses.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Bruce and Maggie Powers; his wife of 64 years, Pauline; his brother, Bruce Powers Jr. and his sister, Louise P. Robey both of whom he affectionately referred to as Brother and Sister.
Surviving are five children: Nancy P. Chapman, Jean Sparks Roy; Jane Sparks Terry; Ken Powers; and Polly Stramm Steve, seven grandchildren, seven great grandchildren and several nieces, nephews and Cubbedge cousins.
Visitation: 6 to 8 p.m. Monday, June 15 at Fox & Weeks Funeral Home, Hodgson. Funeral: 11 a.m. Tuesday at First Baptist Church on Chippewa Square.
Remembrances: First Baptist Church, P.O. Box 9551, Savannah, GA. 31412; The Milton Project for Feral Cats, 22 West Bryan St. #190, Savannah, GA 31401 or the donor's favorite charity.

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GUEST BOOK

I've never met Dr. Powers, but by knowing his daughter, Jane, during my employment in Tucker, GA in the 1980's and befriending her those 13 years I worked there, I know he must have been a wonderful, considerate person. I only now have learned about his death and send my love and support to his family.

- Tracy Quarles Keever Usry, Sugar Hill, GA

What a wonderful man. I feel honored to have known Dr. Powers. I'm sure his beloved cows in Guyton miss him, too.

- Barbara Ardito, Wayne, PA

To Polly and family, You all are in my thoughts and I know God will fill you with wonderful memories and comfort at this time. Sincerely, Melodie M. Moore

- Melodie M.. Moore, Savannah, GA

Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family during this time. Love, Bruce P. Powers, IV

- Bruce P. Powers, IV, Chesapeake, VA

To The Family Dr. Powers was a true leader of 'The Great Generation'. I would like to express my sincere sympathy for your loss of a very good man.

- Kermit Dowdy, Statesboro, GA

A gem of a God's creation is now gone from this earth - but he will remain in so many hearts here as we treasure his dear and endearing acts of kindness while he was here for 95 very full years.

- Stellise Kirk, Peachtree City, GA

My sincerest sympathy to the Powers family.Pauline and Leander were dear friends and Leander a longstanding patient. They were fine folks and I am sorry that I am out of time at this time

- Irving Victor MD, Savannah, GA

My deepest sympathy for your loss Ken. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. With Love-

- Bridgett Tylor, Atlanta, GA

Dr. Powers was a wonderful, caring man and will be sorely missed by us and the rest of the community. With our deepest sympathy, Love, Phil and Betty Hunter

- Phil and Betty Hunter, Savannah, GA

Dear Ken and Polly, Mary Ellen and I were sadden to read the news of the loss of your dad. We know he will be greatly missed by your entire family and also by all the people he cared for during his wonderful life. Respectfully, John Mulligan

- John Mulligan, Savannah, GA

To the Sparks Family, Clint and I want to extend our deepest sympathy to you and your family. I only had the opportunity to talk Dr. Powers on a couple of occasions when I was with Lee Ann, but he seemed like an incredible man. How wonderful to have lived such a full life. May God give you comfort in knowing that he and his wife are together again. I know he missed her dearly. You are in our thoughts and prayers. Love, Clint and Kathryn

- Clint and Kathryn Samples, Carrollton, GA

A WONDERFUL MAN ,GENTLEMAN,DOCTOR & FRIEND HAS BEEN LOST TO ALL OF US !

- ED CURLEE, SAVANNAH, GA

A TRIBUTE AND THANKSGIVING Remember and give thanks for those who have walked before us, for they have blessed us with heritage, extended family, enduring friendships, a love for all creation, and a faith that will endure to all generations. Leander Kennedy Powers was a sacrificial leader during the worst of times and during the best of times. His contributions to family, friends, and community will not be forgotten. To the Leander Powers branch of the family, we send our deepest sympathy and our love and appreciation for his life, for Pauline’s life, and for each of you. With love and appreciation, Bruce P. Powers, III From the branch of the family descended from his brother, Bruce P. Powers, Jr.

- Bruce P. Powers, III, Fuquay Varina, NC

To the Powers Family, My deepest and heartfelt sympathy in our great loss. He was a 'prince of a guy'. All my love, Joan

- Joan Graham Hester Byrd, Savannah, GA