Eric Kendall Powell died unexpectedly on Saturday, Oct. 18, in Houston, Texas. He had just relocated to Galveston, Texas, and was working at the University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB). Mr. Powell was born on March 19, 1975 at Providence Hospital in Seattle. He attended St. Monica School, West Mercer Elementary School and Islander Middle School. In 1989, he relocated with his parents to Seabrook, Texas, and graduated in 1993 from Clear Lake High School. After graduation, he attended the Musicians Institute in Los Angeles, Calif., and later attended both Cal State Northridge and Texas A&M Galveston, where he studied for a degree in marine biology. It was while working as a biologist and diver at the Downtown Aquarium in Houston, Texas, that he met the love of his life, Jamie Poland. They were married in Puerto Rico on Dec. 7, 2007.

Mr. Powell leaves behind his wife, Jamie; parents, Michael and Mary Powell; brothers, Andrew (Cindy) and Kevin; sister, Christie (Todd) Jucht; and nine nieces and nephews who thought the world of him. A celebration of Mr. Powell’s life can be viewed at http://eric-powell.last-memories.com. A private family memorial service will be held in Texas at a later date.