James Franklin Powell

Jim “Pinky” Powell, 83, of Columbus, died Thursday, June 15 at Tulane Medical Center in New Orleans, Louisiana. Jim is survived by his wife of 63 years Barbara; his children, Cathi (Mark) Jones, Joe (Pat) Powell, Jim (Amy DeClue) Powell, and Tom (Diane) Powell all of Columbus; his grandchildren Jamie (Matt) Hoffman of Columbus, Matthew (Katie) Rust of Columbus, Kate Powell of Chico, California, Claire Powell of Bradenton, Florida, David Powell of Plano, Texas, and Ella Powell of Columbus, and 5 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents and siblings. Jim was born in Huntingburg on October 6, 1933 and graduated from Huntingburg High School in 1953. He was named Second Team All-State for basketball and was offered full scholarships to Tulane, Mississippi State, and Alabama. He accepted a scholarship from Indiana State and then decided to transfer to Oakland City University his sophomore year, where he went on to score 1,059 points in 3 years. Jim was inducted into the Oakland City University Hall of Fame in 2009. Jim began his teaching and coaching careers in Holland, Indiana and moved on to Hartford City, Indiana in 1963, where he served as Athletic Director and head basketball coach for 5 years. In 1964, he was named conference Coach of the Year for the Central Indiana Conference. In 1968, Jim moved to Columbus, Indiana where he then served throughout the years as counselor, Director of Guidance, Assistant Principal, and Principal of Columbus North High School until his retirement in 1993. He served on many local, state, and national committees including the President of Indiana Association of Colleges and Financial Aid and more recently the Otter Creek Golf Board. Jim loved to hunt, fish, and play golf. He was an elder at Grace Lutheran Church. Funeral service will be 11:00 am Friday, June 23, 2017 at Grace Lutheran Church with Rev. John Armstrong officiating. Burial will follow at Garland Brook Cemetery. Visitation will be from 5 – 8 pm Thursday and one hour prior to service time Friday, also at the church. Memorials in Jim’s name are suggested to the Grace Lutheran Church Foundation, 3201 Central Ave., Columbus, IN 47203. The family will receive online condolences at: www.Myers-Reed.com. Myers-Reed Chapel is serving the Powell family.