James Ronald Powell, Jr.

James Ronald Powell, Jr. of Middleburg, passed away Tuesday, March 19, 2024 at St. Vincent’s Community Hospice Center for Caring at the age of 68. James was born and raised in Jacksonville, having grown up on the Westside and in Maxille. He went to Baldwin Senior High School, where he was an outstanding middle linebacker on the football team.

After leaving high school, James enlisted in the United States Army, where he was a combat engineer and tank operator. He spent most of the time on deployments to Germany.

When James left the Army, he went into the oil and gas exploration, working on land based drilling rigs in Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, Colorado, New Mexico and Louisiana. He worked his way up through the rank eventually becoming a company man and rig manager. He worked for Conoco and Occidental Petroleum.

After returning from the oil patch after forty-five years, James was content staying home with his family.

He is preceded in death by his parents Ronnie Powell and Caol O’Brien, as well as brothers Samuel O’Brien and Patrick O’Brien.

James is survived by his wife of thirty-five years: Holly Powell, four daughters, Saresa (George) Mendoza of Iowa, Robin (Kent) Boardman of Maine, Dasha (Roy) Linton of Jacksonville, and Tina (Doug) Herring of Texas;  a granddaughter that was like a daughter: Keeley (Joey) Blankenship of Yulee; as well as ten grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren. He also leaves behind his brother Jim Rice of Maxville and a sister, Mary (Cruz) Veleces, as well as many friends he grew up with and those he made over the years working the oil patch.

Services will be held Tuesday, March 26, 2024 at 1:00 PM in the chapel of Forbes Funeral Home. Family will be receiving friends beginning at 12:30 PM. James wishes were to be cremated and he will be eventually laid to rest in the Jacksonville National Cemetery.

Hawke M.T. Forbes and H.M. “Hank” Forbes, Jr. of Forbes Funeral Home are honored to serve the family in their time of loss. 409 West Macclenny Avenue, Macclenny, Florida, 32063 “With Your Family In Mind”. (904) 259-4600. Please leave your condolences for the family in the online guestbook at www.forbesfuneralhome.net

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