James Richard “Dick” Powell passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on Monday, Feb. 10, 2025.
He was born on Feb. 28, 1937, to Marion Caryll and Eva Maude (Lizar) Powell in Trimble, Missouri. He attended school at East Buchanan High School in Gower, Missouri, where he was active in many sports and was quarterback and captain of the Bulldog football team. He graduated in 1955.
He attended Northwest Missouri State College in Maryville, Missouri, where he continued his football career and was a member of the Tau Kappa Epsilon fraternity. He majored in business and physical education, graduating in 1959.
He married his high school sweetheart, Norma Jean Giddens, on Aug. 10, 1957, then began his football coaching career in Maysville, Missouri, at the same time welcoming their first daughter. They then relocated to Blue Springs, Missouri, where he coached at Blue Springs High School. He then coached at Grandview High School. During this time, they welcomed their second daughter.
In 1968, Dick began his career with Jostens selling class rings, caps and gowns and announcements. This took the family to Bowling Green, Ohio, before relocating to Chanute in 1973. He would stay a valuable and celebrated employee with Jostens until his retirement in 2000.
After Dick lost his first love, Norma Jean, he met Betty Jo McNett, and they married in 1998. They seamlessly blended their two loving families and made many happy memories until Betty’s death in 2001.
Dick moved to the Kansas City area to be near his girls in 2003 and started working in the fishing department at Cabela’s. Not long after, he met Mary Fauchier, who remained his long-time companion. He remained with Cabela’s until 2023.
Dick is survived by daughters, Susan Kerns, Shawnee, and Diane Caldwell (Bob), Coffeyville; grandchildren, MacKenzie Nelson (Erik) Camas, Washington, Jordy Brady (Billy) Kansas City, Missouri, and Abbie Enlow (Nick) Olathe; great-grandchildren, Solveig and Luke Nelson and Rider and Rollie Enlow; sister, Linda Bristow, Nashville, Tennessee; brother-in-law and sister-law, John and Judy Giddens, St. Joseph, Missouri; and long-time companion, Mary Fauchier, Overland Park.
Dick was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Bob Powell; wifes, Norma and Betty Jo; son-in-law, J.D. Kerns; and grandsons, Andrew and Alex Eli.
A memorial service will be at 1 p.m. Friday, Feb. 21, at Hixson-Klein Funeral Home in Gower, Missouri.
