James Powell

James O. Powell was born on February 2, 1927, in Newburg, Pennsylvania. He was raised by his adoptive father and mother, David “Ollie” Powell and Bessie Kane Powell and lovingly taught to be a gentleman by Mrs. Maud Bobletz.

As a teenager, Jim was eager to join the Navy and go to war. He convinced his father that he should leave school to enlist and then served from early 1944 through 1947 on active duty. He was also a Korean War Veteran in the Naval Reserves. His fondest military memories were from duty at the NAVAL AIR STATION, Hutchinson, Kansas. Several years ago, Jim organized a reunion of former NAS personnel at Hutchinson.

In 1951, Jim married the love of his life, Dorothy M. Sites Powell. Dorothy predeceased him on October 14, 2012 after 60-plus years of marriage. Jim and Dorothy have four children: Jo Ann Powell Littlefield (Brian); Janice Powell Caruso (Joe); Dennis James Powell and Gerald Oliver Powell. Four grandchildren cherish the memories they made with their Grandpa: Elizabeth Caruso Bair (Shawn); Lauren Mae Caruso; Lt. Richard Oliver Littlefield, USMC; and James Anson Littlefield. Elizabeth’s daughter Evelynn is Jim’s first great-grandchild.

Jim worked in logistics for the US Army, beginning in the warehouse and rising to a position of Systems Analyst. He was particularly proud to have been selected as a member of the first intern class, only 30 of whom were selected nationwide. The intern program provided training and education to promising individuals who could take on responsibilities of managing an increasingly automated materiel control system. During his career, Jim worked in Pennsylvania, Texas, Ohio, Michigan, and frequently provided briefings at the Pentagon.

After he retired, he enjoyed reading, collecting and trading military insignia, visiting museums and attending air shows and of course, spending time with Dorothy and the children and grandchildren. Jim was very proud to have been a charter member of the Newburg-Hopewell Volunteer Fire Company and Fire Police. In 2011, he and Dorothy donated a plot of land to the town of Newburg that is now known as the Newburg Family Gardens.

His funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m., on Saturday, April 6, 2013, at the Fogelsanger-Bricker Funeral Home, Inc., Shippensburg. The Rev. Dr. Cheryl Houser will officiate. Interment, with military honors conducted by the Shippensburg Area Veterans Council, will follow in the Spring Hill Cemetery. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service on Saturday, at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Hopewell United Methodist Church at 10 Enola Road Newburg, PA 17240 or to Fisher House Foundation at www.fisherhouse.org/donate.