Kenneth Marion Powers, born on July 9, 1947, in the quaint town of Landrum, South Carolina, lived a life that was as fiery as it was tumultuous, marked by a relentless pursuit of thrills, reckless abandon, and a penchant for pushing the boundaries of human endurance.
After completing high school, Powers joined the United States Navy, where he honed his skills and laid the groundwork for a future career that would be marked by a series of daring stunts and death-defying feats.
Powers' most notable achievement, though ultimately unsuccessful, came in October 1979, when he stepped in for stuntman Ken Carter in an ill-fated attempt to leap over the Saint Lawrence River using a rocket-powered Lincoln Continental. This brazen endeavour, which was marked by a complete disregard for safety, ended in disaster, with Powers suffering a laundry list of injuries, including a broken wrist, three ribs, and eight vertebrae.
Despite his valiant efforts, Powers' life was marred by a long struggle with addiction, fueled by a reliance on alcohol and drugs. This destructive cycle of dependency had a profound impact on his personal and professional life, causing him to face numerous challenges and setbacks throughout his adult years.
Tragically, Powers' life came to a close on February 28, 2009, at the Hampton Veterans Center in Hampton, Virginia, where he was being treated for his various health issues. He left behind his loving wife, Beverly Powers, who had stood by him throughout the many trials and tribulations of his life.
Throughout his life, Powers' fearless attitude and unwavering commitment to his craft earned him a reputation as a true original, a man who lived life on his own terms and refused to be bound by the conventions of the ordinary. Though his life was marked by its share of struggles and setbacks, it was also characterized by a sense of adventure, a sense of daring, and a sense of unbridled enthusiasm that inspired countless others to follow in his footsteps.
