Mr. Powell, who first worked with Carter during his campaign for governor in Georgia the 1960s, joined the presidential campaign in 1976 and served as chief White House spokesman from 1977 to 1981.
Carter in a statement called Mr. Powell’s death “a great personal loss.’’
“Jody was beside me in every decision I made as a candidate, governor, and president, and I could always depend on his advice and counsel being candid and direct,’’ Carter said, adding, “No one worked more closely with me than Jody.’’
After leaving the White House, Mr. Powell cofounded the Powell Tate public relations firm in Washington.
A Georgia native known for his deep Southern drawl, Mr. Powell and fellow Georgian Hamilton Jordan were among Carter’s closest confidants. A June 1977 issue of Time magazine had caricatures of Mr. Powell and Jordan on its cover, declaring them “the president’s boys.’’ Jordan died last year after a lengthy battle with cancer.
At one point during his presidency, Carter said “Jody Powell knows me better than anyone else, except my wife.’’
“Jody served his country during a difficult time, and he always did the job with grace and good humor,’’ said Robert Gibbs, the current White House press secretary. He added that he had sought out Mr. Powell’s advice when he became press secretary and that Mr. Powell “was always generous with his time and wise in his counsel.’’
Born on a cotton and peanut farm, Mr. Powell grew up in Vienna, Ga., and had aspirations of becoming an Air Force pilot. But he was expelled from the US Air Force Academy during his senior year for cheating and went on to attend Georgia State University and later Emory University, where he received a master’s degree in political science.
He joined Carter’s gubernatorial campaign as a driver and all-around handyman and stayed with him through his presidency.
