James (Jim) Woodson Powell, age 75 of Green Bay unexpectedly and sadly left us on March 28th, 2023.
He is survived by his loving wife of 55 years, Janet (Schaefer) Powell, his children Lisa (Dave) Stamm, Jennifer (Eric) Vick, Jimmy (Heidi) Powell and his seven grandchildren, Riley, Nathaniel, James, Bennett, Sam, Azile and Veda, sister Googie (Bob) Goff, brother Butch (Kathy) Powell, and many nieces, nephews and cousins. We would also like to acknowledge his loyal, longtime good friend Betty Leneau.
The cornerstone of Jim’s life was his wife Janet, whom he met when he was only 16 years of age. They went on to share so many happy memories throughout their 59-year span of life together. Jim and Janet created a beautiful life through raising their three children and helping them grow, running their business, traveling throughout the world, golfing, playing racquetball, coaching football, ballroom dancing, skiing the slopes from Colorado to Europe, hosting many parties, trekking all over the country on family road trips, camping with family and friends, and cheering on his favorite sports teams. Jim also enjoyed spending winters in Florida with Janet as long as they could. He was a great example of strength, perseverance and commitment to his family above all else.
Although the years slowed him physically, mentally his brain sped like a racecar. Unequivocally in Jim's later years his most cherished source of joy came from being a Papa. He was incredibly immersed and took great interest in the lives of his grandchildren. He was always up for a game of chess or a round of golf. He enjoyed attending his grandchildrens’ sporting events and performances or most recently taking a helicopter ride with his granddaughter. His lap and arms were always open for his youngest granddaughters to settle into and do as they wished. Camp Poppy was a fun place. His family was truly his world for whom his heart beat.
Jim was not a man about the material world, but a man who placed the greatest value in the happiness of his wife and the accomplished parents his children became by carrying on his legacy of unwavering dedication to his cherished grandchildren. Though Jim championed their successes, he most cared that they were good people with a strong dedication to their family. His exuberance for his family is on full display in his “man cave”. Here you would see countless photos of his parents, siblings, wedding day, children, nieces and nephews. You would see the pride of his heritage displayed with an Italian flag and the English Powell coat of arms with a genealogical tree a mile long. You will see the clock that hung in his mother’s kitchen and the rotary phone that once rang in his parents home. You would also most certainly hear the music that flowed with the songs from his favorite artists.
Jim could certainly be described as generous, deeply curious, unafraid, intellectual, adventurous, inquisitive, loyal, dedicated, outspoken, genuine, unapologetic and incredibly loving. He knew who he was, what he stood for and what he liked. In the many sentiments passed along to the family after his passing, he has been lovingly referred to as a character, an icon, a legend, and fun. As one of his grandsons expressed, “Poppy was his own man.” Indeed he was.
Jim’s passions throughout his life lead him down many roads. He pursued ballroom dance and was once a Latin dance champion, attended Maharishi University to pursue transcendental meditation, was a motivational speaker for the Tony Robbins method, served as Director for Freedom House, a homeless shelter. He became an ordained minister, danced in a competition on a jumbo jet in transit to Ireland, took Jane Seymour for a spin around the dance floor on his many visits to the Grand Ballroom of Mackinac Island, and was currently a 75 year old student at UWGB.
Jim was spontaneous with an adventurous spirit who rarely thought about life’s what ifs. He also lived a big life outside family life by pursuing his never-ending quest for knowledge and world travel. His early travels led him to exciting destinations, however, in his 70s he was called to places of the spiritual sort. He walked labyrinths, meditated on ocean overlooks with his nephew, went on a solo trip to Europe tracing his father’s route while serving in the Ghost Corps, and went to the mountains of Machu Picchu.
Though Jim was taken from this would too suddenly and too soon. He lived on his terms and his terms alone. He faced multiple health hurdles over the years. With every fall he got back up. Nothing broke his spirit. No one was going to tell him how to live, not his family or his doctors. He continued to enjoy life right up until the moment he passed while fulfilling his passion of learning by taking theology and political courses at UWGB. He was really looking forward to school and his classmates that day. He enjoyed being around young people and thinkers. He wanted to know about everyone and everything.
If Jim ever loved you, spoke with you, meditated with you, traveled with you, taught you, learned with you, or befriended you, you will no doubt feel he was a unique and special person. Jim’s advice is to tell the people you love how much you love them, as often as you can.
The foundation of faith and unconditional love was slated from Jim’s beginnings by his parents, grandparents, siblings, uncles and aunts. It would serve as the compass he would follow all his days. Jim was a deeply spiritual man. He studied world religion as a hobby. As Jim delved into decades of trying to understand the significance of every religion he studied, he came to know that every road led to God. Of repeated significance Jim noted “God is Love and Love is God. If you consistently behave from this belief toward all others, you will feel the strength of God in your life and it will sustain you.”
At this time no formal service will be held. To send online condolences, please go to www.BlaneyFuneralHome.com.
