Atlanta, GA & Winterville, ME--- James "Fred" Powell, age 76, passed away December 1, 2025, at Northern Maine Medical in Fort Kent, Maine. He was born February 10, 1949, in Carrollton, Georgia, son of the late Larry Powell and Jessie Florence Lewis Powell.

In 1967 Fred graduated from Carrollton High School and was quickly accepted into his beloved Georgia Institute of Technology, where he excelled and graduated with a Bachelor of Electrical Engineering Degree in 1971.  He joined the work force in 1972 where he put his electrical engineering degree straight to work for various companies until he and his longtime friend, Sue Browning, started their own Lightning Protection Company in 1999.  Their company, Atlanta Lightning Protection, continued to thrive even through Sue's untimely passing in 2010, and until Fred became ill in 2021.  In 2021 Fred sold the company to battle his illness and to spend his days with his loving wife, Catherine Martin.

Fred was so full of enthusiasm for his favorite football team, Georgia Tech, anyone that knew him knew where he would be on game days; either at Tech or in front of the TV cheering on his team.  He loved any and all Sci-Fi, the mysteries of the unknown excited him and he could talk for hours about theories and possibilities.  He was well traveled through his years going to places like Israel, Hawaii and Italy, just to name a few.  But Fred's favorite places/times were always anywhere his beloved wife Catherine was.

He is survived by his wife Catherine Martin of Atlanta, GA and Winterville, ME;  stepson, Tyler Soucy and Alicia Patterson and children Jade and Opal-Rose;  and step daughter Jillian Soucy and Travis Porter and children Arya and Dononvan; sister-in-law, Carol Martin of the Little Franciscans of Mary; two brothers-in-law, Joseph Martin and Cyr Martin of Eagle Lake, ME; brother, Earl Powell (Cathy) of Gonzales, LA; sister, Linda Davidson (Russell)  of Cochran, GA; two nephews, Larry Powell (Jamie) of Gonzales, LA, and James Davidson (Rebecca) of Cochran, GA; along with his great-nephews and great-nieces, Tommy and Charlies Ann Powell and Matilda and Penelope Davidson; and former wife and friend, Kathy W. Powell.

Fred will always be remembered as a strong loving man who always had a smile to greet any and everyone.  Who was beyond strong, loving and generous even during his hardest days.

At the family's request there will be no service at this time. A celebration of life will be held in Atlanta, GA in the spring of 2026. To share condolences and memories online, please visit Fred's tribute page at www.LajoieFuneralHomes.com