James D. Powell, Jr.

Our Powell family chain was broken when the Lord called our patriarch, James D. Powell, Jr., home on August 4, 2007, at Gulfport Memorial Hospital surrounded by family and friends. His passing will leave a large hole in all of our hearts, but we are left with the assurance that his family will carry on because of his teachings. We also know that in the Lord's time frame we will all be reunited. James "Jimmy" D. Powell, Jr. was born August 26, 1932, the first son of the late James Dudley and Elyria Latimer Powell, Sr. of Biloxi. Their family was enriched by two more sons, John Thomas Powell and spouse, Gloria, of Jackson, MS and William "Billy" Powell of Baker, LA, and a sister, Patsy Woolington of Starkville, MS. A native of Biloxi, Mr. Jimmy attended Biloxi Public Schools, a proud member of the Biloxi High School saxophone section, and graduated in 1950. Mr. Jimmy married Patsy Blake on September 24, 1950. To their union was given four children, Michael D. Powell and spouse, Diane, of D'Iberville, Cathy Remus of Biloxi, John D. Powell and spouse, Patricia, of Saucier, and Mark D. Powell and spouse, Linda, of Biloxi. His children blessed his life with ten grandchildren, Shelley Powell Graham and spouse, Jim, of Shreveport, LA, Sgt. Christopher James Powell and spouse, Crystal, of Kailua, HI, Melissa Remus of Rock Hill, SC, Chelsea Powell, Abigayil Powell, Thomas Powell, and Donovan Powell of Saucier, Ashleigh Powell, Joshua Powell, and Jordan Powell of Biloxi. Mr. Jimmy was a great believer in duty to his country. He served four years in the naval reserves before being called up for active duty during the Korean War. During his tour of duty from 1951 to 1954 he was awarded the National Defense Service Medal, the Korean Service Medal, the Bronze Star, the United Nations Service Medal, the China Service Medal, Korean Presidential Unit Citation, and the Korean War Service Medal. Mr. Jimmy was very dedicated in his service to his church. He grew up in Epworth United Methodist Church and in 1980 transferred to Beauvoir United Methodist Church where he gladly served in any manner requested, be it trustee or greeter. Mr. Jimmy was actively involved with the Southern Little League in Biloxi, especially when his boys were playing. He sponsored a team from 1968 to 1974 and was president of the league for three years. Mr. Jimmy was devoted to scouting, having more than 60 years in scouting, both as a scout and later as a leader. One of his greatest achievements was that of becoming an Eagle Scout like his father. His brother, Tommy, followed his example and received his as well. This tradition continued with his three sons and two grandsons, all of whom he was able to present to them their Eagle pins. Mr. Jimmy was an Assistant Scoutmaster of Troop 213 until 1975 when he became Scoutmaster of Troop 250 and continued at that position until his death. Mr. Jimmy was also active with the Tiger Cubs and the Cub Scouts, serving for numerous years as Cubmaster. Mr. Jimmy was awarded the Pine Burr Award, the Silver Beaver, Vigil rank in the Tiak Lodge Order of the Arrow, as well as being a charter member of the Tiak Lodge, and the Flame and Cross religious award for adults. He has served on the National Committee for the Scout Jamboree and as one of the Scoutmasters for the Mississippi contingent to the three jamborees that his grandsons, Chris and Josh, attended at Fort A.P. Hill in Virginia. Mr. Jimmy worked 55 years in the auto body repair industry, starting out working for his father as a teenager and later, upon his release from the Navy, working for Pringle Ford until starting his own company, Powell's Vehicle Repair, until his retirement in 2004. In addition to his wife, children, and grandchildren, Mr. Jimmy is survived by a sister-in-law, Jane Blake, of Picayune, MS, and a sister-in-law, Sandra "Bunny" Sperandeo and spouse, Bobby, of Pearl River, LA, and numerous nieces and nephews. Mr. Jimmy was preceded in death by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. James D. Powell, Sr., his grandparents, John T. and Nevada Moore Latimer, and his mother-in-law, Mrs. Lillian Cassidy. Visitation is today, Monday, August 6, 2007, from 5 until 7 p.m. at the Howard Avenue Chapel of Bradford-O'Keefe Funeral Homes in Biloxi. Funeral services will be held Tuesday at 1 p.m. at Beauvoir United Methodist Church where friends may visit one hour before service time. Interment will follow in Biloxi City Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Kevin Coggins, Sammy Gollott, Randy Woolington, Charles Uren, Mike Tisher, Joshua Powell, Mike Stanford, Joshua Stanford, Jason Zappatta and Brian Matherne. Honorary pallbearers will be John Taylor, Bill Lee, Johnny Pitalo, Toby Guthry, Jordan Powell and Jim Graham. In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations be made to the Boy Scouts of America, Pine Burr Area Council, 1318 Hardy Street, Hattiesburg, MS. The family would like to thank the ICU nurses and the nurses on the 4th floor at Gulfport Memorial Hospital for their wonderful care given to Mr. Jimmy during his stay.