Foresthill's Jim Power, retired builder, made lasting contributions to community, lives of others

Jim Power, a great-grandson of an early Placer County gold mogul, who later made his own mark in the Foresthill community, will be remembered Saturday at the mansion that bears his family name in Auburn.Power, 84, died at a care facility in Auburn on March 29, a family spokesman said Monday.James Jim Visel Power was the great grandson of Placer County Supervisor and state Assemblyman Michael H. Power. The pioneer Power discovered the lucrative Hidden Treasure Gold Mine along the Forest Hill Divide.Power was also the grandson of Harold T. Power, who built the landmark Power's Mansion in Downtown Auburn during the early part of last century.After retirement from a general contracting and building career and following achieving advanced degrees in engineering from the University of California, Berkeley and business administration from Stanford University, Power moved to Foresthill in 1978.During World War II, he served in the U.S. Navy and would devote many hours to rebuild the gazebo in the county's Leroy Botts Veterans Memorial Park in Foresthill. Power also served on the Foresthill Road Committee, which successfully lobbied for a safer road to the mountain community. He was a member of the original Foresthill Forum.His son, Michael Power said what inspired him most about his father was his great spirit.Dad taught me that no matter how tough things are you have to dive into the situation to solve it, Power said.As a retired builder, Power helped design and build the Foresthill Museum. He designed the barn for the first fire engine donated from the Foresthill Fire Department.A member of the Foresthill Historical Society, he designed and built the pole bar and blacksmith shop adjacent to the museum.As well Power helped design and build the New Hope Lutheran Church.Power was also a hobby sailor.After Jim retired, we sailed together for six years, said Liz, his wife. We faced risk and danger together and overcame every challenge together. Ours has been the perfect life as far as I'm concerned.Besides his wife of 62 years, Power is survived by daughters Elizabeth Ann Power-Thwing and Janet Campbell, a son, Michael Power, six grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.A graveside service will take place at 2 p.m. April 15 in the Old Auburn Cemetery, at the corner of Nevada Street and Fulweiler Avenue in Auburn. A wake reception will follow at the Power's Mansion reception ballroom, 195 Harrison Ave., Auburn.Memorial donations may be made to the donor's favorite charity, or the Foresthill Museum, or the Hope Lutheran Church.For more information, call Liz Power at 885-8970.The Journal's Gus Thomson can be reached at gust@goldcountrymedia.com.