James Obadiah was the first of the Powers children born to William Houston Powers and Sophronia Elizabeth Cagle.  He was born December 26, 1886, in Guntersville, Marshall County, Alabama.  James never married.  He died June 22, 1953, in Sand Springs, Oklahoma. 
James was injured as a young man and was paralyzed most of his life.
His obituary said “Sand Springs has lost a pioneer, a familiar figure, and a landmark, in the death of Jim Powers, 67, who died early Monday morning in a Tulsa hospital following a short illness.

Jim took up the "fixit" job shortly after he had suffered a broken back, December 21, 1918, while repairing a car. The accident broke his back in two places, and he spent more than a year in a hospital. He was never able to stand or walk after that.
Jim has been working in Sand Springs since 1911, but it was June 15, 1915, that he became a resident.
 
When Jim first came to Sand Springs, he worked in the blacksmith department of the Page machine shop. Later he worked for an automobile garage and kept Sand Springs' two automobiles in running order.

Later Jim bought the garage and started in business for himself, and it was here that he met with his accident.
 
Back in 1950 Jim became quite perturbed when the government was looking for a new post office location, and he thought his combination apartment house and fixit shop property might be in line for the new building. However, nothing ever came of the proposed site and Jim and his sister, Mrs. Minnie Rollins, continued to live in their home.
 
Now Jim has gone to his heavenly reward, and many will miss his familiar wheel chair occupied by him in front of his place of business.

Jim was a pioneer, a familiar figure at 216 Lincoln.

Jim was a native of Birmingham, Ala., and lived in Broken Arrow before coming to Sand Springs.
Mrs. Rollins has looked after her brother since their mother passed away in 1936.

Other survivors are Mrs. Ida Adams, Sand Springs; Mrs. Adeline McDougal, Oklahoma City; Mrs. Bertha Johnson, Hammond, Indiana, and a brother, George Powers, Seattle, Washington.
Funeral services will be conducted Thursday afternoon, at 2 o'clock, in the Mobley Funeral chapel, by Rev. R. J. Palmer, of Skiatook, former pastor of the local Methodist church. Burial will be in Woodland.”

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Birth: December 26, 1886 Guntersville, Marshall Alabama USA
Death: June 22, 1953, Sand Springs, Oklahoma USA
Buried: Woodland Memorial Park Cemetery
Sand Springs, Tulsa, Oklahoma USA
Father: William Houston Powers
Mother: Sophronia Elizabeth Cagle Powers
Other: Military: Draft registration between 1917 and 1918, Tulsa, Oklahoma USA
Military: 1942 Sand Springs, Tulsa, Oklahoma USA

Census Records ~ James Obadiah Powers
1900 – Age 13 – Farm Laborer
Can read: No
Can write: No
 
1930 – Age 42
Lived in Sand Springs, Tulsa, Oklahoma
Occupation: Repairer – Fix it shop
Yes can read and write
 
1940 – Age 53
Lived in Sand Springs, Tulsa, Oklahoma
Occupation: Manager

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Newspaper story - Resolution
By Luther P. Roberts
 
WHEREAS, Jim Powers, known to countless hundreds as “Jim the fixit man”, a pioneer of this community, a man of great determination, a friend of all young boys, a handicapped with a will to succeed, has finally, due to illness from which he could not recover, been forced to lay down his working tools and enter upon his reward, and

WHEREAS, God in His beautiful realms beyond the skies, must have need for Jim’s ability, disposition, and kindly spirit, and did touch his life early Monday morning, June 22, 1953, calling him henceforth to abide with Him, his loved ones and friends who have preceded him in the journey of life, and
WHEREAS, Jim has shown to the world a faith which enables a cripple to conquer defeat, he has been an inspiration to all who have known him and his ways of life.  Cheerfulness, kindliness, loyal service, knowledge to work, tasks serving to make life more comfortable, his fix it ability, are traits which will long be remembered, and
In a very simple way, without money or worldly power, he gave of gentleness of his heart to all around him.  This man with soft voice and kindly manners knew the language of the heart and used it.  He worked manfully and with a will in his section of the world’s vineyard, and against odds and discouragement he won time and again.  He was infinitely patient and brave.  He held a simple old-fashioned faith in God and His loving Kindness, and
 
WHEREAS, when others gave money – which was their store – Jim gave hard work and an inspiring courage.  He helped.  In his own sphere, he was a power, since we know we will miss his presence and his many varied services, we know that in all the young boys who have received his tutoring, we shall see raised up one who will fill his place and Jim’s niche in our community will ever remain clear and distinct in our minds.
Jim was thoughtful about the end of the trail
            Which men of earth behold.
It was for him like the blind’s Braille,
            To see God and the palaces of gold.
Jim knew life could never be complete;
            Be it ever so good on this earth.
Until the Savior, face to face, he could greet,
            And enter the rewards of his rebirth.
For him dying held no dread or fear,
            He wanted to meet all those who precede.
And ever feel his Master’s presence near,
            His spirit was calm as surely as flood waters recede.

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the Chamber of Commerce of the City of Sand Springs, Oklahoma, that this resolution be adopted this 22nd day of June, 1952, and that a copy of the same be delivered to his beloved sisters, Mrs. Rollins and Mrs. Al Adams, as a token of our sincere and heartfelt sympathy at this time of their great loss.
 
SAND SPRINGS CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
 CHAS. RUDY, President
ATTEST. DOROTHY STRICKA, Sec’t