Rental industry veteran Paul Powers Jr. died this week, just a few days short of his 84th birthday. Powers, a former president, director and chairman of the California Rental Association, and director of the American Rental Association, founded Powers Rentals in Salinas, Calif., in 1966, and sold the company to United Rentals in 1998.
Powers grew up in Southern California and attended the University of Southern California. After serving in the army during the Korean War, Powers worked for Purex Corp. in Long Beach, Calif., before moving to Salinas to begin his rental business.
Always active in the local community, Powers also served on a number of boards and committees including the Scaffold Industry Association, Salinas Valley Builders’ Exchange, Monterey County Sheriff’s Department Aero Squadron, City of Salinas Airport Commission and many others.
Powers was involved in many committees and extra activities in the rental industry, particularly with CRA. Powers was particularly widely respected among CRA circles for his years of volunteering and helpful attitude.
Powers is survived by his wife of 53 years Carlene Powers, his children Paul Powers III, Susan Powers, James Powers, Melinda Costa and Linda Ferhmann, as well as seven grandchildren. Paul Powers III is active in the rental industry as a principal in Catalyst, an investment banking and M&A firm based in Colorado Springs, Colo.; and owner of Powers Equipment, a truck and trailer dealership in Salinas.
Services will be held at Struve and Laporte in Salinas May 21st at 2 p.m., with burial following at Queen of Heaven Cemetery. Memorials in the name of Paul J. Powers Jr. can be made to the American Cancer Society and the Rotary Club of Salinas, Calif.
