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James "Jimmy" Powell-- RIP

grizzlyjournal

Well-known member
As noted in this morning's Missoulian, Grizzly 'Silvertip' basketball great, James "Jimmy" Powell died, at the age of 78, last week.

Powell played for the Silvertips in the late 1950s and has -- since the night I first watched him play -- has remained on my personal list of top 25 Griz Hall of Fame players.

Powell had a low-release jump-set shot that was one of the purest rainbow-arced shots I've ever seen. Of course, Powell played before the days of the 3-point shot.

As a grade-schooler, playing pickup basketball on the Jefferson grade school court with friends, I always tried to play the game as I had seen Powell play it on the Montana Fieldhouse original platform court.

I got to know Powell personally In the mid-to late 80s, and found him to be one of the genuinely kindest and ever-cheerful gentlemen I've ever known. I'd always want to talk hoops, but he just wanted to chat!

RIP, JImmy... God receive ya.
 
Jim was a genuine gentle gentlemen, true to his wife, kids, friends and his church. He was never bashful about that. we spent a lot of hours together as he sought ways to reach students. he was a preacher's kid who became a great insurance man. and he was the 13th of 14 kids. His nephew Bobby, son of another great athlete, Bob Powell, is one of two owners of all the Montana Club restaurants, Nickel Charlies in Kalispell and Hoagieville shops in Missoula. He will be missed by many of us.
 
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