James E. Manning was born April 22, 1929, and passed away on Jan. 9, 2010, in Havasu Regional Medical Center from complications from Pulmonary Fibrosis. James was born in Salem, Wis. to Elwyn and Emily Manning.

He married Frances Lasby on April 14, 1950, in Winter Garden, Fla. They had their four children there. They moved to Canoga Park, Calif., in 1963. Jim graduated from Union Free High School in Wilmot, Wis. He also lived in Winter Garden, Fla., Canoga Park, Calif., and Lake Havasu City. He was a G.M. Parts Manager at Holler Motors in Orlando, Fla.; Casa de Cadillac, Sherman Oaks, Calif.; Butlin Buick, Reseda, Calif.; Shaver Pontiac, Thousand Oaks, Calif. He also worked for Martin Marietta Corp. in Orlando, Fla. For three years before moving to Calif. He finally retired from the work force in Oct. 1991.

He was a long time member of the NRA, and the Republican National Committee. He liked his sports, the Arizona Diamondbacks, Phoenix Suns, Green Bay Packers, and NASCAR auto racing to name a few. He loved listening to his music while relaxing in the afternoons. Some of his favorites were classical, marches, and music fro the 30’s through the 70’s. Jim liked going to Laughlin and Havasu Landing casinos. He and his wife loved taking walks down at Rotary Park taking in the beautiful views and also around his own neighborhood. He used to take his two sons, Tom and Don, to the desert to ride and race their dirt bikes. He enjoyed his grandchildren; Michelle, Tim, and Melissa and his two great grandchildren; Topanga and Teagan. He was truly the best “PaPa” in the world and adored all his girls and boys.

He loved to travel and he and Fran made two trips across the United States and into Canada to meet some of Fran’s relatives while she was gathering information for her genealogy book. They also went on a Panama Canal cruise and took a trip to Europe to visit with their son, Tom, while stationed in Germany in the United States Army.

He is survived by his wife, Frances, daughters; Sandra Kay (Doug) Perry of Edmond, Okla., Cynthia Ann (Jim) Gruber of Lake Havasu City, son; Donald Robert of Lake Havasu City, and his grandchildren; Michelle Lyn Gruber and Timothy James Gruber both of Lake Havasu City, and Melissa Ashlee of Edmond, Okla., his great grandchildren; Topanga Willow Barrett and Teagan Cynthia Gruber of Lake Havasu City, and brother; Robert Manning of Johnson Valley, Calif.; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins. His son, Thomas Edward Manning, preceded him in death in 1981.

There will be a memorial service at the Manning home, 2855 Swirl Dr., Lake Havasu City, Wednesday at 2 p.m.

We miss you PaPa, but you will live on in our hearts through all the happy memories that we shared with you.