Powell High School football coach Jim Stringer died suddenly Friday morning.

Stringer suffered an apparent pulmonary cardiac arrest at his home on Lane 9 1/2 in rural Powell, said Park County Coroner Tim Power. Emergency responders were called around 11:05 a.m. and Stringer was taken by ambulance to Powell Valley Hospital, where he was pronounced dead, Power said.

“His loss will have a huge impact on Powell High School, the district and the community,” said Superintendent Kevin Mitchell. “He was a wonderful friend, teacher and coach, and more importantly, husband and father.”

His final game on the sidelines was on Nov. 19, when the Panthers defeated Douglas 19-13 in overtime to capture their third straight 3A state title.

Stringer was later named the Wyoming Coaches Association 3A Football Coach of the Year. He also claimed the award in 2011.

The tall, burly, bearded coach guided his teams to victory repeatedly. But aside from his success on the gridiron, Stringer was known in the Powell community for his open, outgoing manner and friendly nature.

A 2010 letter he wrote to the Powell Tribune offered a glimpse of some of his views on life:

“As I learned the value of honest hard work living on my grandparent’s farm during the summer months of my elementary years, Grandpa also taught me important lessons in respect, appropriate social behavior and interpersonal communications. Many of the lessons continue to transcend time as sage clichés recognized and understood by most, such as: ‘Treat others as you would have them treat you.’

Or ... ‘Before you criticize someone, walk a mile in their shoes.’

“And one of my personal favorites ... ‘It is better to keep your mouth closed and be thought a fool than to open it and remove all doubt.’

“Now, my grandfather knew that the latter was not always possible, so he would sometimes follow it up with the age-old classic, ‘If you can’t say something nice, don’t say anything at all.’”

A lot of people said nice things about Jim Stringer during his life, and they are echoing those thoughts now. As a Powell school district employee said Friday afternoon, the news was “shocking.”

Stringer and his wife Jill had three children.

Powell High School football coach Jim Stringer brought three consecutive 3A state titles to the Panthers from 2011-13. Courtesy photo