James "Coach" Powell

James D. Powell, 81, of Mt. Pleasant passed away Saturday, Jan. 30, 2016, at his home. A Funeral Mass for Jim will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 2, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church with Father Loren Kalinowski presiding. The family will receive friends at Charles R. Lux Family Funeral Home on Monday from 1-8 p.m. with the Vigil beginning at 7:30 p.m. Visitation continues at the church on Tuesday one hour prior to Mass followed by a procession to Calvary Cemetery for burial. A luncheon will be held at Sacred Heart Parish Hall following the cemetery service. Memorial contributions may be made to the wishes of the family. Envelopes are available at the funeral home. Jim was born Aug. 3, 1934, in Mt. Pleasant, son of the late Ralph and Mary (Carey) Powell. He was a 1953 graduate of Sacred Heart Academy and enjoyed driving a bakery goods delivery truck for several years. He retired from Central Michigan University in 2001 after 21 years as an equipment manager at Finch Field House and supervisor in media services at the CMU Library. Big Jim is a Michigan home grown legend; known to many and revered by all. Remembered for his dedication of effort as Coach in various Michigan Sports. He enjoyed; bowling, softball, baseball, and football. He was inducted into five different sports Halls of Fame; including Michigan High School Football, Mt. Pleasant Bowling Association, Sacred Heart Academy, MASA and Michigan National Softball Association. Coach will be remembered for his love of sport and his commitment to the achievements of many. We will miss his friendly, outspoken, powerful, loyal, and loving support and presence. Jim is survived by three children, Sherry Herber of Mt. Pleasant, Jerry (Johanne) Willey of Pinckney, and Connie (Ron) Napier of Mt. Pleasant; nine grandchildren, Nicholas and Rochelle Herber, Brandon, Laura, and Brian Willey, and Ashlea Brunk and Emma Stickney; 16 great-grandchildren; sister, Betty Johnson of Rosebush; two sisters-in-law, Jean Powell and June Powell, both of Mt. Pleasant; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Ralph and Mary Powell; and five siblings, Max Gaudard, Margaret Jackson, Mary Margaret Powell, Tom Powell, and Jerry Powell.