LYNNWOOD — The Pacific Northwest lost one of its quiet giants on Thursday morning, August 13, James (Jim) Leroy “Jumbo” Powers, the former Seattle Totems star and founder of Lynnwood Motoplex, passed away of natural causes at age 89. Powers left an indelible mark on two very different worlds that defined life in the region for more than half a century: the hard-checking, capacity-crowd era of minor-pro hockey and a family-run powersports business that still hums along Highway 99.
“It is with a heavy heart that we announce the passing of Lynnwood Motoplex founder, and pillar of both the local motorcycle and hockey communities, ‘Pops’ Jim Powers,” Motoplex released in a statement. “Back in 1970, Pops started Lynnwood Yamaha, and over the last 56 years, grew it into what it is today. Throughout the years, Pops has impacted countless lives and memories, and will be dearly missed. May his soul rest in peace.”
Born September 30, 1936, in Claresholm, Alberta, Powers grew up fast. He lost his father at age 8, quit school in the seventh grade, and lied about his age so he could work and send money home to his mother. That early grit carried him through junior hockey with the Lethbridge Native Sons and Humboldt-Melfort Indians before he turned pro.
His professional career spanned 1957 to 1970, mostly in the Western Hockey League. Powers played 737 regular-season games, scoring 248 goals and 223 assists for 471 points, primarily with the Seattle Totems but also the pre-NHL Vancouver Canucks and Los Angeles Blades. He added a short stint with the Providence Reds of the American Hockey League in 1967-68. Standing 6-foot and 190 pounds, the left-shooting left winger was a physical presence who let his stick and muscle do most of the talking.
Powers arrived in Seattle for the 1958-59 season and helped the newly renamed Totems capture their first WHL championship. Lined up with legendary center Guyle Fielder and Tommy McVie, he contributed 26 goals that year. The city was buzzing with the Space Needle and Monorail rising for the 1962 World’s Fair, and the Civic Ice Arena and later the Coliseum regularly filled with fans who treated the hockey players like hometown heroes.
From 1962-63 through the mid-decade, Powers put up 256 points in five productive seasons, including a career-high 36 goals and 72 points in 1962-63. That year, with Bob Barlow on the other wing and Fielder in the middle, the trio terrorized the league. Powers added 12 goals in 17 playoff games.
“It was just as exciting off the ice during those years with the Space Needle being built and the Monorail—it was a very exciting time for the city of Seattle. We had capacity crowds in the rink and they treated us well,” Barlow shared in an interview on Powers’ passing. “Jimmy, Guyle and I had a great line together, and after the game, we’d go out and have a few pops together, a few beers. Because when you’re playing hockey, you get really thirsty. And then we’d shoot the bull and have a lot of fun together.”
In 1966-67, Powers helped the Totems claim their second WHL title. He scored 28 goals that season and delivered a crucial tying goal in Game 4 of the semifinals against the California Seals, setting up an overtime win that put Seattle up 3-1. He returned for final seasons in 1968-70 after his AHL loan, wrapping up a career that also included a 1957-58 championship with Vancouver.
Even while still playing, Powers was laying the groundwork for his second act — entrepreneurship.
In the offseasons he signed autographs and sold motorcycles at a Lynnwood shop. Upon retiring in 1970, he opened his own dealership. The state had closed a liquor store on Scriber Lake Road; in March 1970 it reopened as Lynnwood Yamaha. The original space was just 3,500 square feet.
“I actually ran the store myself in the beginning putting the ‘back in 15 minutes’ sign on the door anytime I had to go to the bank or the restroom,” Powers recalled.
Six months later he doubled the size to 7,500 square feet on Highway 99. In 1999 the family made the big move into the old Jack Roberts appliance center, expanding to 32,000 square feet. What began as a Yamaha shop grew into Lynnwood Motoplex, carrying Yamaha, Kawasaki, KTM, Indian, Ducati, MV Agusta, Polaris, CFMoto, Centurion and Supreme boats, and more.
His wife Marie and the kids gradually joined him. Sons Garret and Jim Jr. took over day-to-day operations in 2008; daughter Janice handled the books.
“It’s the only job I’ve ever had,” Garret, 58, said. “I’ve been there 40-plus years and my brother has been there for almost 50 years. So, that’s what kept my dad in Seattle and that Mill Creek area—it was our business.”
Powers remained a fixture at the shop and around local rinks long after hanging up the skates.
When his grandson played youth hockey—from Everett to Sno-King to the Seattle Jr. Totems—”Pops” was there, sponsoring teams, offering tips, and encouraging the kids even after he could no longer lace up himself.
“He was just kind of a staple around youth hockey here. Everyone knew him,” Garret told the NHL in an interview on his dad’s passing. “He was never on an official board or staff or anything like that. He was just very well known.”
Last year, Powers was inducted into the Washington State Motorcycle Hall of Fame—the first dealer and principal owner to be honored. He had already earned a place in the Seattle Hockey Hall of Fame.
Marie, his wife of 62 years, predeceased him in 2020. He is survived by sons Garret and Jim Jr., daughters Penny Cannon and Janice Weber, nine grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren. A memorial is planned in the coming weeks at Lynnwood Motoplex.
In the days since his passing, tributes have poured in. Customers recalled him remembering their first bike purchases decades later, slipping free parts to young racers with a wink — “Don’t tell Garrett” — and always greeting people with a smile and quiet wisdom.
