James Joseph "Joe" Powell

James Joseph “Joe” Powell, the fearless patriarch of the Powell Family, left this earth June 15th, 2026, to be with his Lord and Savior. Joe was special from the day he came into the world, as he was a Leap Year baby, born to Joan and Joseph Powell on February 29th, 1944, in St. Louis, Missouri and grew up in Greenfield, Illinois. He was an outstanding student, gifted athlete, and went on to study Civil Engineering at the University of Illinois, earning his degree in 1967. He married his childhood sweetheart, Sandy Powell, in 1962, who was the love and epicenter of his life for sixty-three years. After college, Joe worked in Dallas, Texas and then moved to Atlanta to begin a new job with ITT Nesbitt Corporation. In 1971, Joe founded Joe Powell & Associates, Inc. and later was recruited as a Rep by Liebert Corporation in Atlanta, Georgia, for his remarkable ability to understand mechanical engineering and the art of sales. Over the course of forty years, he went on to build one of the most successful mechanical and electrical sales organizations in the southeast. He was widely respected in his industry for his visionary leadership with his ability to design and comprehend complex, critical IT infrastructure systems, and leaves a legacy going forward of Joe Powell and Associates, which now spans across the Southeast and serves customers across the nation, with his youngest son, Chad, now at the helm as CEO. Joe was a selfless and extraordinary father to his three sons, Jeff (Holley) Zach (Elizabeth), and Chad (Stephanie), grandfather to his seven adoring grandchildren, Jeffrey (Molly), Griffin (Jessica), Anna Jane, Zachary, Kate, Georgia and Bo, and great-grandfather to his two great grandchildren, Banks and Sullivan. He was a devoted husband to his cherished wife, Sandy, and big brother to his two sisters, Susan Whipple, who preceded him in death, and Jennifer “Bop” Hopper (Steve). In 1997, Joe and Sandy acquired a farm in the suburbs of Atlanta which they named after their beloved midwestern hometown. Greenfield Farm became the hub of Joe’s expansive talents and hobbies over three decades. He studied equestrian husbandry with his prized Tennessee Walkers, played competitive tennis, and loved captaining his boat at Lake Lanier on his famous cocktail cruises. He learned to paint landscapes and spent many years in private lessons to become an accomplished pianist. He threw legendary soirées and invited anyone and everyone into his home, welcoming all with his charismatic hospitality, generosity, and warmth. Joe had the heart of a lion and passed his courage and entrepreneurial spirit on to his children and grandchildren as the treasured leader of the Powell Family. He could party with the best of them, loved deeply and openly, was generous to a fault, and modeled a steadfast marriage with an unwavering, enduring love story that transcends time. But most of all, he understood faith, family, friendship, commitment to our country, meaningfulness- and exemplified what a life of purpose should look like. Visitation with the family will be held from 11:00-12:00 PM and a Service following at noon on Friday, June 19th at Greenfield Farm in Cumming, GA. As Joe wished, a lunch reception for all friends and family will take place at Greenfield Farm immediately following the service. In lieu of flowers, please consider contributing to the Joe Powell Memorial Scholarship to benefit University of Georgia mechanical engineering students. Joe adored and mentored young people professionals and will continue to nurture great minds into the future long after his passing. Give.uga.edu/powellscholarship

James Joseph "Joe" Powell

February 29, 1944 - June 15, 2026