Sep 14, 2009 4:59pm
RIP, Jody Powell
EmailABC News has learned that former White House press secretary Jody Powell has died.
This afternoon at his house on the Eastern Shore in Maryland, Powell had an apparent heart attack, a family friend said.
The former press secretary for President Jimmy Carter was the CEO of the PR firm Powell Tate. He was 65.
Powell and the late Hamilton Jordan, Carter's chief of staff, were WH "whiz Kids" on a Rolling Stone cover in 1977. I doubt Carter thought he’d outlive both of them.
- jpt
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65 is young these days. Lost my mom when she was 63. Dad’s been without the love of his life for almost 26 years. God’s blessings to his family and friends.
Posted by: D'oh! | September 14, 2009, 5:27 pm 5:27 pm
65 is indeed too young these days. He should have many years of living left – contributing to society and playing with the grandkids yet.
Posted by: jhw539 | September 14, 2009, 6:16 pm 6:16 pm
I’m sorry to hear this. President Carter drove (drives) me nuts, but I liked Mr. Powell very much. He had humour and dignity. The current press secretary, Robert Gibbs, could learn a lot from watching tapes of Mr. Powell at work. RIP.
Posted by: B. MacLean | September 14, 2009, 6:36 pm 6:36 pm
This is a real blow to the former President. Jody was more like a son who understood him better than his own sons.
Posted by: Roderick | September 14, 2009, 7:18 pm 7:18 pm
Sorry to hear about this, Jake.
Posted by: Danny | September 14, 2009, 7:35 pm 7:35 pm
Yeah, I remember him.
Posted by: LongT | September 14, 2009, 7:59 pm 7:59 pm
I liked him and Ham Jordan. What a pair of scoundrels!
Posted by: patch | September 14, 2009, 8:07 pm 8:07 pm
Sad.
Posted by: MayBee | September 14, 2009, 8:28 pm 8:28 pm
good southern boy who loved his mom. lbj always said he wanted to return to the south cause there people knew when you were ill and cared when you died. we care. rip.
Posted by: ron | September 14, 2009, 8:34 pm 8:34 pm
Both he and Ham Jordan always seemed so incongruent with the dweeby Pres. Carter.
Posted by: Mohican | September 14, 2009, 9:35 pm 9:35 pm
Jody was a fine man…as was Ham Jordan…at the time I worked for Carter and later regretted it immensely.
Posted by: Frank Brown | September 14, 2009, 9:42 pm 9:42 pm
Thanks for sharing the news, Mr. Tapper. I adored Jody Powell (and Hamilton Jordan, also gone way too soon). He was one of the few bright spots in the Carter administration. He will be missed. I’ll say a prayer for his family.
And B. McLean is right– Gibby could learn something from watching tape of Jody Powell (and Tony Snow, another wonderful person who died too soon).
Posted by: moderate | September 14, 2009, 10:04 pm 10:04 pm
I’m so sorry to hear the bad news about 5 minutes from Beckel on Hannity. I knew Jody and Nan for many years, and respected him and was always glad to spend time with him.
Posted by: I'm just sayin' | September 14, 2009, 10:04 pm 10:04 pm
“I’m just sayin’” was sent by Gary T/
Posted by: I'm just sayin' | September 14, 2009, 10:08 pm 10:08 pm