(July 16, 1946-December 23, 2025)
Ronald Huston Powers, 79, passed away in Tarrant County, Texas on December 23, 2025 from kidney failure after a four year journey with Alzheimer’s disease.
Ron grew up in Bakersfield, California and Dallas, Texas. He attended The University of Texas at Arlington and majored in Architecture and Mechanical Engineering before realizing his dream of becoming a designer. He married his high school sweetheart, Barbara Streetly and moved to California to attend the prestigious, Art Center College of Design and majored in transportation design.
Ron became the president and founder of Powers Design International in Newport Beach, California in 1974. Powers Design International was the leading independent design and development company both nationally and internationally for more than 30 years. Ron was considered an amazing visionary in his field offering full-service capabilities from concept design to engineering to full production. He created the first personal wave craft vehicle, the Kawasaki Jet Ski and for Yamaha, the Wave Runner. Powers Design International’s clients included, General Motors, Chrysler Corporation, Ford Motor Company, Fiat, Toyota, Hyundai, Nissan, Mitsubishi Motor Company, Kia, Suburu, Revcon, Freightliner, Kenworth, Peterbilt, Suzuki, SkipJack, MacGregor, Hobie, McDonnell Douglas/NASA, Boeing, and Rockwell/NASA to name a few. Ron considered himself an industrial designer because he did not only focus on the transportation industry, but created the in-line skate, toy packaging for Mattel, a mockup Space Shuttle and Space Station, the Hughes Simulator Systems MV22 Osprey, Kaufman ski boots, medical equipment, and more! In 2002, Ron retired to Iredell, Texas.
Ron is preceded in death by his parents, Joe and Quata Powers. Ron is survived by his daughter; Brandy Bruner and son-in-law; Mark Bruner, and two grandchildren; Nicholas and Lauren Bruner. In addition, his brother; Terry Powers and sister-in-law; Patty Powers, and many cousins.
A private graveside service will be held for the family in the Fairy Cemetery.
Be the first to comment