James Micheal "Mike" Powers Sr.

James Micheal "Mike" Powers Sr., 88, passed away peacefully at home on Feb. 4, 2026, surrounded by family on the homestead he loved.
Mike was born in Centerville, Iowa, to DeWayne and Helen and raised by his mother and stepfather, Ed Hildebrand, in Council Bluffs. Growing up on a farm shaped him forever. In school he was a gymnast, active in FFA, and—by his own proud admission—the class clown.
After high school, Mike worked construction with his stepfather. A summer job in Winner, South Dakota, led to a fateful introduction: he was handed a photo of a young woman named Georgine. Months later, he finally called her. That call became 63 years of marriage, three children, nine grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
Mike served 24 years in the Navy Medical Service Corps, as a corpsman, pharmacist, clinic and hospital administrator, including three tours of Vietnam and retiring as Lieutenant Commander with many honors. He earned his bachelor's degree from George Washington University, graduating salutatorian of his program.
In 1980, Mike retired to Libby, Montana, where he served as administrator of St. John's Lutheran Hospital and purchased his beloved homestead—finally giving his children the farm life he had treasured as a boy. He was an active member of the Libby community via many organizations and projects, and in recent years, he found deep comfort in his faith and fellowship as a Jehovah's Witness.
Mike never met a stranger. Every errand became a social event, and he gathered often with friends for coffee in what he called "The Geezer Group"—proud to be "The Geezer-est of them all!" He was a legendary collector of antiques: stamps, tins, spark plugs, steam engines, and a world-class collection of printing presses. Known to have a sweet tooth, he shared generously, delighting his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, who called him "Pam Pam."
His son Mitch once said, "He was the smartest man I ever knew. And the funniest." Quick-witted and clever, he was also deeply compassionate—the first to cry at weddings or sentimental movies. At 88, he was still running three businesses and, just days before his passing, invited strangers involved in a fender-bender into his home for soup. That was Mike: turning accidents into dinner parties, strangers into friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents, stepfather Ed, brother Patrick and son Michael. He is survived by his wife Georgine; brother Gary Hildebrand; children Mitch Powers and Maria (Powers) Fox and son-in-law Chad; nine grandchildren, four great-grandchildren and countless friends.

Services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, March 14, 2026, at the Libby Memorial Center, followed by potluck and graveside services with military honors. Per Mike's wishes, please bring food to share and don't wear black!