Dr. James A. Powell

Dr. James A. “Doc” Powell, 96, went to be with the Lord he served on Friday, June 28, 2024 at his home in Ellensburg, Washington. Born in Brandsville, Missouri on February 13, 1928, he was a child of the Depression whose parents taught him to be resourceful. He also spent his leisure hours outdoors in and around the Ozark creeks of South-Central Missouri, often fishing. He learned to identify flora and fauna - both of his region, and later, in the Pacific Northwest.

Jim graduated from Rolla High School in 1946, from Central College of Fayette, Missouri in 1950, then taught high school biology at Sikeston before entering medical school at the University of Missouri-Columbia. The defining moment in Jim's life came at age 22, when he fully placed his trust in Jesus. He became very active in the Baptist Student Union at MU, serving as campus president, state president, and director of a 28-voice chapel choir. He married his beloved Joyce (Courson) on August 28, 1954, shortly after returning from a 10-week term of missions service in Panama. He never lost his passion for missionary work after that trip.

Having graduated from medical school in 1957, Jim accepted an internship at the government hospital in the Panama Canal Zone, followed by a residency in Wichita, Kansas. By this time, three children had been born: Debbie, Dan, and Scott.

In 1964, Jim moved his family to Washington, where he began a surgical residency in Seattle. That residency stopped abruptly in 1967, when the clinic he'd already decided to join called with an urgent request. One of their doctors had unexpectedly died, leaving the practice down a provider. So, a year earlier than planned, the family moved to Ellensburg, where Jim joined the Valley Clinic. The family continued to grow, with the addition of daughter Jan and foster son Rick Hutchins. Jim retired from medicine in 1994, but he never stopped caring for people. That same year, thanks to Jim's leadership, a local CareNet opened its doors for the first time.

Not one to stay still for long, Jim plunged into ministry and volunteer activities. Some of these were work with international students; marriage counseling; CareNet client counseling; leadership in the establishment of a Baptist Church in Ronald, Washington; and then outreach to needy Upper County youth through COAL, based out of the same church building. One of his last passions was to see these young people attend summer camp through scholarships. He was a board member emeritus to his death.

Jim enjoyed gardening, hiking, choir music, and young people. Family vacations devoted to backpacking trips in the Stuart range led to the building of a family cabin on the Cle Elum River. Long-time members of Chestnut Street Baptist Church, Jim and Joyce served there in many ways. Jim taught a college-aged Sunday School class among other roles. Besides directing an adult choir, he also organized and directed a youth choir known as the Chestnutters, which went on annual tours from 1970-1990. He was affectionately nicknamed "Doc" by the young people and others in the community.

Jim was preceded in death by his sister Mary Hyde, and his wife of 68 years, Joyce. He is survived by his four children Debbie (Tom) Dunn, Dan (Kari) Powell, Scott (Lynda) Powell, and Jan Powell; 15 grandchildren, and 24 great-grandchildren.

James Allen Powell lived for Jesus Christ and left his children and grandchildren this rich legacy.

Dr. Powell’s funeral service will be conducted at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, July 13 at the Chestnut Street Baptist Church with committal to follow at the IOOF Cemetery. Lunch will follow the committal service back at the church. Viewing for family and friends will be from 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. on Friday, July 12 at Johnston & Williams in Ellensburg. 

The family would like to express their heartfelt thanks to the entire team at KVH Hospice who provided Jim with compassionate care for the last five months of his life. Memorial contributions in Jim's honor can be made to the CareNet Pregnancy Center of Kittitas County at 111 E. Fourth Avenue in Ellensburg.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Johnston & Williams of Ellensburg. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.johnston-williams.com