John Powell Obituary

John Powell, discus world record holder and four-time Olympian, died at home in Las Vegas on August 19 after a long illness. He was 75.John was a graduate of San Jose State and worked for the San Jose Police Department for seven years before leaving to concentrate on his throwing career. He was on the United States Olympic team in 1972, 1976, 1980 and 1984 and medaled twice. He was a seven time U.S. National Champion. In 1975, he set a world record with a throw of 226'8'.John also coached and inspired others. As the throws coach at Stanford from 1981-1990, he coached U.S. record holder and 1984 Olympian Carol Cady. His John Powell Throwing Camps produced many athletes who went on to win state, national, Olympic and world championships. John is survived by his wife Wally Powell, his daughter Julie Powell, and grandchildren Maddie and Tyler McGivern. His daughter Tammy Powell McGivern died in 2021.At John's request, there will be no memorial service, Please consider contributions in John's memory to organizations he valued and supported: San Jose State Spartan Society, U.S. Olympic Committee, and the U. S. Humane Society.

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Published by Mercury News on Aug. 23, 2022.

Memories and Condolences
for John Powell

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13 Entries

Patty Purpur de Vries

September 25, 2025

John was instrumental in my life and I´ll forever be grateful for his positive influence on me. I was fortunate enough to have him watching out for me - even long after his throw coaching ended. Thank you, John, for your feisty challenges and growth opportunities. .

Bob Rice

June 2, 2024

John was every throwers idol in the 70's! I would see him at Foothill College during high school track clinics 71-73', fast forward, I was at Long Beach State 74'-78' and he would show up for the all-comer meets along with a multitude of 190' throwers. It was there I was lucky enough to witness a 232'+ throw which hit the asphalt driveway to the track shed. Needless to say, he was an amazing athlete, so smooth and explosive! I feel so blessed to have witnessed his greatness up close and in person
My deepest sympathy to the Powell Family, he was one of a kind!

Milton Girouard Jr.

November 21, 2023

I first met John a few months before the 1984 Olympics when he walked into Foothill College's weight room when I was just 21. He wasn't there to work out, he just walked around and talked to people. You could immediately see where he got his physical power to throw the discus so well, which was mostly in his legs and core. Around the early 1990's on a lazy Sunday afternoon, I met up with John again at the track at Foothill College . At that time, the shot ring and infield discus ring were open to the public. A thrower named Allen, was throwing the shot with John watching. Even though I was wearing jeans and had no throwing shoes with me, I asked if I could jump in and throw with Allen. They both said sure. John watched as Allen and I threw the shot for about 20 minutes, then wandered off on his own to the discus ring on the other side of the track. Then of course Allen and I headed down to the discus ring to see what pearls of wisdom John had to impart, or show us in the discus ring. Turns out John just wanted to throw, which then turned into a mini competition between the three of us. John wanted to throw the women's 1 kg. discus to see who could come closest to the track on the other side of the infield which was around 70 plus meters away. John was in great physical shape for being in his mid 40's, but wasn't in prime "throwing" shape of just 8 or 10 years earlier, but you still believed he could crank out a long throw if he had to. I was the first to bow out of the competition as wearing jeans with cross training shoes are not very advantageous in the discus ring and the very best throw I could muster after three rounds was just a bit past 52 meters. Instead, I went out to shag John's and Allen's throws to save them some energy from having to retrieve their discs. As this mini "Champion for a day" competition went on, John was the most consistent thrower of all three at between 59 and 61 meters. Allen on the other hand was constantly improving his throws each round from 56 meters to just past 62 meters, which is when he bowed out. Allen and I then shared the duty of shagging John's discus after his throws and joked about if, or when John would surpass Allen's mark. I can't tell you how many throws John took that day as we stood out in the field for more than an hour with John coming within two feet of Allen's best throw but not being able to surpass it. Was it 50, 75 or 100 throws since when we all started? We just lost count. I don't recommend that many throws for anyone, but I learned about a side of John that contributed to him being a great thrower. His competitive nature was off the chart, yet he still calmly focused on his technique while adding a bit of will power at the end of each throw to try and reach the farthest distance he could...even if it was just on a lazy Sunday afternoon, in an empty stadium with a couple of other guys that just loved to throw. John never did surpass Allen's best distance that afternoon, instead showed his passion for the sport he loved. In my conversations with John, I noticed he had a different way than most to impart his knowledge. Some of his advise was direct, some you had to dig out of an obscure quote he believed in from a philosopher or something there of. The fact that he took the time to share with you, showed he cared. Over a few months during the Spring of 1995, I had many positive interactions with John that I learned a great deal from, which was the last time I saw, or spoke to him in person before I moved to Idaho. I just want to say, thanks John ... I hope you've found Brian, Ricky and Al and you're all having a few good laughs at us mere mortals down here. You will be missed...

Chuck Sherman Jr.

September 3, 2023

I first met John when I was throwing the discus at Foothill College in 1971. A fellow thrower, Bill Stoesser, introduced me to him when we traveled to San Jose State. He helped me in my form and encouraged me to excel. He also had a dry wit about him as did I. Many conversations o
ver the years. RIP John and thanks!

Mike Craft - NY

August 28, 2023

I never met John but he was a great inspiration to me in my discus throwing when I was younger. I'm so sorry to hear of his passing. He paved the way for so many great discus throwers of today. Rest in peace Legend.

Rick Arcide

February 28, 2023

Great teammate of mine at San Jose State spent many hours throwing with him. He was the best. RIP from your javelin throwing teammate. Rick Arcide

Ed Nelson

December 28, 2022

John was my partner at San Jose Police Dept. Great guy but also a character. I remember him coming late to.our shift one night. Had a big grin
He'd just thrown.for a world record at a meet that day

Richard Shilling

September 22, 2022

My dad and I were track and field officials for years when John Powell competed, he was a great competitor, but never said much to either my dad or my self. One day at a meet when it was over he came up to my dad and myself, and said, You guys have been officiating the meets for years i just wanted to tell you how much i appreciate it and you guys are two of the nicest and best officials i have ever met! Wow Thank you John. It was an honor for my dad an myself to do those meets and especially the 1984 Olympics. You were a class act and one hell of a great thrower. may you rest in peace. Sincerely Richard & Lee Shilling (Track & field officials 1966 - 1988)
officials at my meets for years and i never say anything to you because

William Kinash

September 13, 2022

I fondly recall the rivalries between John and "Multiple Mac" Wilkins in the mid-1970s while in college. A fine person and the best discus technician to be found! A great loss to the sport of track & field!

Mike Harvey

September 2, 2022

My heart felt sympathy to John's family. John was my coach at De Anza Jr. College from 1975-1977. Grateful for those years with him!!

scott Johnson

August 25, 2022

Will miss you , John. Still can't believe you're gone.
Not ever hearing your wit and wisdom again is hard to reconcile. Heavy footfalls for a long time, buddy, a really long time.

Denis Spanek Saratoga Ca.

August 24, 2022

Old friend from San Jose State days and then into the 70's, , great memories with John,....Blessing to the the family, Condolences,..... Denis

Lynda mckinley

August 23, 2022

I´m sorry for your loss I knew John when he was living with Brian old field Brian John abd Bruce Jenner worked out everyday they were a huge inspiration to everyone great times and wonderful memories I considered him a good friend stay strong

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