James "J.P." Powell

J.P. was first elected to Seat 1 of the City Commission in September 2007. He served until January 2016 and was re-elected to Seat 5 in November 2017. He was mayor from 2011 through 2013. JP was recalled as a down-to-earth, personable commissioner by city employees who said he took the time to get to know staff on a personal level. Many knew him by his "tremendous" laugh that would echo in the commissioner chamber. JP had a lifelong passion for aviation and served as the commission's Airport Advisory Board liaison for over a decade.

J.P. also served as the city liaison to the Polk Transit Authority, Transportation Disadvantaged Local Coordinating Board, an alternate on Polk Transportation Planning Organization and Ridge League of Cities. He sat on the city's Community Redevelopment Agency Board. J.P. continued to serve the commission even while battling his illness.

J.P. was also a long time employee of Ott-Laughlin Funeral Home and Glen Abbey Memorial Gardens since 1983. He and his wife, Kim, even lived above the funeral home at one time. He was a cornerstone of Ott-Laughlin and Glen Abbey and his presence will surely be missed.

J.P. is survived by his wife, Kim Powell, son, Traviss Powell and his wife Megan, his aunt, Bobbie Nair, uncle, Raymond Pullium, mother-in-law, Loretta Traviss Smith (Edwin), his granddogs, Tiberius and Valkyrie, and many other loved family and friends.

A visitation will be held on Friday, May 5, from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. at Ott-Laughlin Funeral Home in Winter Haven, Florida. A service will be held on May 6th at 2:00 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church in Winter Haven, Florida. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in J.P,’s honor to the Polk State College Foundation (Winter Haven Public Safety) https://foundation.polk.edu/how-to-give/.