Ted Merit Powers passed away peacefully with his family by his side on July 14, 2025.
He was born to Dale Powers and Anita Beers on May 23, 1959.
In his younger years, Ted held various occupations including logging and building windmills. Ted was a free spirit and flew where the wind blew him. He spent various amounts of time in Idaho, Oregon, Washington, Montana, and Minnesota. He loved to camp, hunt, hunt mushrooms, and especially fish. At 5 years old, he was named the youngest fisherman opening morning on the Clearwater River in Lewiston, Idaho. He spent much of his free time fishing lakes, streams, and rivers across the U.S. and enjoying the outdoors.
Ted was a loving soul. He was very outgoing and never knew a stranger. He loved to help people, and even though he didn’t have much, he would certainly offer you what he had. When Ted was in Minnesota, he got Loki. Loki quickly became his best friend and went everywhere with Ted. You always knew it was Ted when you saw a huge white dog in the front seat of a tiny white car. Loki was what kept Ted motivated for so many years to keep fighting cancer. He knew no one could love Loki as much as he did.
When Ted moved to Pendleton, he quickly built a network of friendships with those at the dog park, the hospital, the cancer center, support groups, his neighborhood, and everyone who walked along the viaduct. He was baptized on May 19, 2023 and the Pendleton Seventh-day Adventist Church became his church family. Anyone who has known Ted and his past knows what a true miracle this is. When asked what song he wanted to sing at his baptism, it was simple: “Jesus Loves Me.”
Ted was a simple person. He didn’t require much in life; he rolled with the punches and made the best of every situation. He would often say, “I’m full of cancer and I’m the happiest, most joyful person in the world!” as he raised his arms in the air in triumph! He often talked about one day meeting Jesus, his mom, dad, and sister in heaven. Little did he know, Loki would be waiting for him, too. Loki passed away just a couple of weeks prior to Ted.
Ted is survived by his two children, Kyle Powers (Debbie) of New Richland, Minn. and April Mathers (Zach) of Plains, Mont.; eight grandchildren; four siblings, sister Danita Beers (Mike) of Pilot Rock, sister Shirley Quaempts of Spokane, Wash., brother Lonny Powers (Deaona) of Spangle, Wash. and brother Scott Powers (Kellie) of Spokane, Wash.; and numerous nieces and nephews.
A memorial service will be held on Friday, Aug. 8, 2025 at 10 a.m. at the Pendleton Seventh-day Adventist Church.
Please share memories of Ted with his family at burnsmortuaryhermiston.com.
Burns Mortuary of Hermiston is in care of arrangements.
