Former Powell Mayor Jim Milburn, who served as mayor from 1997 to 2004, died at Mayo Clinic Hospital in Phoenix, Arizona, on Sunday. He was 80 years old.

Milburn was born May 13, 1938, and was a member of the Powell High School Class of 1956.

A lifelong resident of Powell, Milburn brought that perspective to the mayor’s office.

Former Powell City Council president Lloyd Snyder has fond memories of Milburn’s tenure.

“He was a quiet, gentle mayor that came in after some turmoil in the city and was able to settle the people down in city hall,” Snyder said. “Jim had so much knowledge of Powell, having lived here all his life. He did a good job of being a mayor for the city.”

Jim Wysocki, who served as Powell’s city administrator while Milburn was mayor, recalled Milburn as “one of these guys that really, really liked this community.”

During his tenure, Milburn helped get landscaping going at city hall and Wysocki praised his consistency.

“He was one of these guys where he rarely missed a meeting,” Wysocki said.

Current City Administrator Zane Logan, who served as public works director at the time, was saddened by Milburn’s passing.

“As a staff member and employee of Powell, I appreciated his point of view,” Logan said of Milburn. “By growing up here and living in the community, his point of view was, ‘What is best for Powell?’ I think that [point of view] as a mayor ... is one of the biggest assets as a leader in the community.”

Powell City Councilman Jim Hillberry served on the city council when Milburn was mayor.

“I thought he guided the community real well,” Hillberry said. “I thought he was a just a good mayor; he was responsible and he had good ideas for the community.”

Snyder said he thinks Milburn “truly enjoyed” serving as mayor.

“Jim loved Powell and he loved the people here,” Snyder said.

Thompson Funeral Home is assisting Milburn’s family with arrangements.