James Michael Powers

1948 - 2025

James Michael Powers

January 27, 1948 – July 25, 2025

James Michael Powers aka MICK was born the 27th of January 1948 in Los Angeles, a 4th~generation Angelino and a 7th generation Californian. His earliest ancestor to the state was a Spanish-Basque leather-jacket soldier who came with Gaspar de Portola's Sacred Expedition in 1769 in which Fray Junipero Serra was also a member. This ancestor assisted in building the presidios and mission chain. Mick was proud of his heritage!

Mick was raised in Los Angeles County until he was fourteen years old and was educated 1st-8th grades at Annunciation Catholic School in Arcadia. In 1964 his father died and the family re-located to Nevada County where he attended and graduated from the old Empire High School.

He worked at various jobs throughout the area and retired from the city of Nevada City in public works. He knows that city well and has crawled under it many times. The tales he could tell! And did! Upon retirement he busied himself with family, growing cacti and succulents, playing his loud music (especially The Grateful Dead), his daily walks, reading and learning history of all kinds, and volunteer work. His favorite flower was a carnation, and he would often buy a bouquet and randomly hand one out to ladies he encountered in his daily rounds. The surprised smiles brightening their faces delighted him! His favorite pastime was as a docent at Firehouse #1 Museum in Nevada City where he entertained and educated visitors with the unique facts, statistics and colorful history of our county.

Mick was a real character who marched to the beat of his own drum endearing him to family and friends. Already he is sorely missed and forever loved by many. Mick leaves a large family, too numerous to name. He raised one son and four daughters and is a grandfather and great-grandfather. Pops and Grandpa are among his happy nicknames! One older brother and sister and his numerous nieces and nephews share loving memories of Little Brother and Uncle Mick.

At any given time when asked how he was or how his day was going his standard reply was, "Bitchin - I'm bitchin' or Its a bitchin' day!" As his family we all hope that Mick is enjoying a bitchin', bewitchin' time in his new Home Sweet Home!

Due to commitments and circumstances his Celebration of Life cannot be announced at this time. It is pending!