James Irvin Powers
Nov. 28, 1927-April 24, 2009
Tuesday, July 14, 2009 10:04 AM PDT
Parma
James Irvin Powers (Jim) died at his winter home in Sun City, Ariz., on April 24, at the age of 81. He was born in Emmett, Idaho, on Nov. 28, 1927.
Jim grew up in Parma, Idaho, and graduated from Parma High School in 1945.
His grandfather, Francis Powers, homesteaded in the Ten Davis area near Parma and started Powers Apiaries, a company specializing in the production of honey. Jim’s father, Irvin Francis Powers, continued the business and became known as a pioneer in modern beekeeping practices.
After high school, Jim joined the U.S. Army and served with the Army of Occupation in Japan. After his discharge, he attended the University of Idaho. Upon graduation, he joined the U.S. Air Force, serving as a second lieutenant during the Korean War.
When his enlistment was over, he took the foreign service exam and became a foreign service officer. He was serving as vice-consul in El Salvador when he retired.
In 1959, Jim returned to the family business, further expanding Powers Apiaries into six states. He served there until retirement. He retired as president of Powers Apiaries.
Jim also attended Harvard Business School in the Smaller Company Management Program. He was very active in national beekeeping organizations as well as in civic organizations in Parma. He received several awards, including the Bruce Mitchell Award, the Melvin Jones Award for the Lions Club, the Tom Takatori Award as volunteer of the year and the American Beekeeping Federation’s Presidents Award.
Jim was an active member of the Parma Lions Club and the Kappa Sigma Fraternity.
He was preceded in death by his mother, Neva Cayford Powers, and his father, Irvin Francis Powers.
He is survived by his wife, Judith Morgan Powers, and four children: Judith Lake Puett Davis (Rod Davis), Barry Faye Puett (Robert Tisdale), Julia Morgan Puett and Garnett George Puett III (Whendi Grad). He is also survived by six grandchildren: Rose Grad Puett, Garnett Karl Meise, Lin Morgan Meise, Garnett George Puett IV, Barry Powers Puett and Grey Rabbit Puett.
He was also preceded in death by his beloved dog, Vince.
A graveside service will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, July 15, 2009, at Lower Boise Cemetery at Ten Davis, outside of Parma. John Murphy, pastor at Kirkpatrick Presbyterian Church, Parma, will officiate. There will be a memorial reception at Anderson Hall in Parma shortly after the service.
Services are under the direction of Dakan Funeral Chapel, Caldwell, (208) 459-3629. Condolences and memories may be shared with the family using their online guestbook at www.dakanfuneralchapel.com.
The family requests that donations be made to benefit the Parma schools, Kirkpatrick Presbyterian Church, the City of Parma or the charity of their choice.
