It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Joseph L. Powers; husband, uncle, son, and friend.  He died peacefully in his sleep on the morning of June 10, 2020.  Joe was 36.  A lifelong artist and musician, his work will be loved for many years to come.  He is survived by his wife, and best friend, Sarah Powers.

Joe was born in Hutchinson, Kansas on June 12, 1983 to parents Don and Alana Diane Powers.  His father preceded him in death, his mother survives.  Joe was an only child, who grew up loving skateboarding, animals, music, and art.

In Joe's sophomore year of high school, he attended art class with Sarah Hahn, where they quickly became friends, began dating, and later in May 2010 eloped in a courthouse ceremony, complete with convicts wearing orange jumpsuits and hand/ankle cuffs, which could be heard jingling as they applauded, during the " I Do's" and the judge blowing bubbles.  It was perfect for them, and it was always " Joe & Sarah", for a little over 21 years total.  They just celebrated their 11th wedding anniversary.

Joe played guitar growing up as a teenager, eventually turning to his true love of bass guitar.  He spent the most time in his musical career as a bass player/singer for the band Ash of the Mind, which he started with his friends in Colorado Springs.  When Joe moved back to Kansas last year, he kept up his hobby as a musician, by playing with his acoustic guitar and digitally recording beats and all original songs with his personal vocals.

Not only was Joe a musician, he was an incredibly talented artist as well.  Growing up, he drew, filling up countless sketch books.  This led to his eventual life-long career as a professional tattoo artist, starting off with his apprenticeship in Newton, Kansas.  Joe and Sarah eventually moved to Colorado Springs, where Joe was a tattoo artist for 10 years.  During that time he met countless artists, clients, and friends, which now carry his work with them forever.  it comforts us to know that his art will live on, on so may local clients he had throughout the years.  His talent grew throughout his career; he started off working in Newton loving realism, and ended in Colorado with traditional being his trademark.  He loved a nice, big rose tattoo.  And he was really good at them.  He did amazing watercolor paintings in his spare time when he wasn't tattooing clients.  And he loved to teach his fellow tattoo artists different techniques, and to learn from them as well.  He also learned how to completely build tattoo machines, many of which are still being used by artists around the country.

Joe LOVED animals.  He was always a sweet, caring dog-dad to his beloved boys, Ryknow, Aldo and Oscar.  His favorites were spending time with Ryknow at the nature center, tossing a tennis ball with Aldo, and then in the last year, training/spoiling Oscar, the pit-bull that we would not have been rescued if it had not been for Joe.  Joe was willing to risk getting bit from him, when he saw him in danger on the side of the highway; one of his final deeds on earth was rescuing the stray, so Sarah would have one more protector by her side.

Joe's family is finding comfort in knowing that he is no longer in pain, and that his soul and mind are at peace.

A private memorial will be planned, where there will most likely be a bonfire, lots of loud music, good memories, food and spirits enjoyed by all.  Information will come at a later date.  Guys... It takes a long time to plan a playlist like this.