James Nelson Mann

June 6, 1929 - February 25, 2021

JAMES NELSON MANN JUNE 6, 1929-FEBRUARY 25, 2021 James Nelson Mann (“Jim”) passed away quietly in his sleep the night of February 25th, 2021 having spent the afternoon and evening with his family beside him. He was 91. Born in 1929 in Highland Park in Detroit, Michigan to Bertha and Frederick Mann, Jim was the youngest of three sons. The family moved to Cleveland, Ohio for some years before eventually returning to Michigan. While attending college at Wayne State University in Detroit, Jim met his future wife, Patricia Ann Hassett, at a Fraternity-Sorority picnic held on Bell Isle. Jim entered the Air Force in 1951 and while stationed in Panama City, Florida (Tyndall Air Force Base), he married Pat. In 1952 they were transferred to Walker Air Force Base in Roswell, New Mexico where they had their first child, Patricia Lynn Mann. Jim attained the rank of Lieutenant and also served a portion of his service in the Military Police. When Jim was discharged, the family moved to Piedmont, CA. Jim then completed his college studies at the University of California, Berkeley, majoring in Political Science, and he later attended law school. The family moved to Oakland and a few years later, in 1960, Jim and Pat’s second child, James Charles Mann, was born. Jim worked in several capacities as a young man, including jobs at Montgomery Ward department store, and as a Granny Goose delivery truck driver. Ultimately, he chose a career working with Retirement Residences/Homes for the Aged. Initially, he sold apartments to future residents of Lake Park, which was a new retirement residence by Lake Merritt in Oakland. Thereafter, the family moved briefly to Ventura, CA where Jim became the Assistant Administrator of the Ventura Townehouse retirement community. Upon his return to Oakland, he was again hired at Lake Park, this time as the Assistant Administrator. Jim soon obtained his Hospital Administrator's license. He served as the Nursing Home Administrator for several retirement residences over many years, including The Sequoias, The Carlisle, The Heritage (all in San Francisco), and Channing House in Palo Alto. He became a consultant for several proposed retirement residence projects in the greater San Francisco Bay area. Jim was instrumental in formulating numerous administrative regulations and protocols for assisted living facilities throughout California. He was considered an expert in his field. For many years, Jim and wife Pat belonged to the Montclair Methodist Church in Oakland. They both sang in the church choir, Jim taught “Sunday School” to the youngsters, and they participated in the church’s social group “Ages Anonymous”. Jim was a man of many skills and hobbies. He especially loved camping and the outdoors, and often took his family to Bass Lake, Yosemite and to many other parks and campsites in Northern California. Over the years, he and Pat also enjoyed taking their camper (and the family dog) to the Wawona Campgrounds in Yosemite, where other family members sometimes joined them. The Manns always had a wonderful time on these trips, ever appreciative of the beauty and history of their surroundings. Jim joined the Boy Scouts as a youngster and acquired his camping and hiking skills. He obtained the rank of Eagle Scout, the highest honor one can achieve in scouting. When his son Jim (“Jimmy”) joined Boy Scout Troop #203 as a teenager, Jim was one of the dads who regularly accompanied the troop on its annual summer backpack trips in the High Sierras. These were difficult 50 mile treks. He sometimes joined the troop at its mountain summer camp, "Camp Diamond-O”, and went on the troop’s “overnights” (camping trips) on weekends. Jim had many wonderful "Bear" stories from his hiking trips, including the time a bear ran off with his backpack! After giving chase, he got it back, but not before he tripped over a log and hurt his shin! During another trip, Jim awoke during the night to the sensation of a bear tugging on his foot through his sleeping bag. He soon realized that the bear had been attracted to the fragrance of his foot powder and decided to “taste” his foot! Jim enjoyed these scouting trips immensely. It was his custom to recite the famous old poem, “The Cremation of Sam McGee” to the boys as they sat around the campfire, and he did so entirely by memory! Jim was a socially active man. In 1966, he joined the Live Oak Masonic Lodge #61 in Oakland, following in the footsteps of his father Fred and his brothers Jack and Bob. He served as Worshipful Master of Live Oak in 1973. He also served on various committees, as Historian and as Treasurer, and from 2013-2015 he was a Trustee. Early on, Jim enjoyed singing in the Lodge’s glee club. In 2013, his long and loyal service to his Lodge was recognized with the Hiram Award, with his family and friends in attendance. In 2014, for the Lodge’s 160th Anniversary Celebration, he compiled a history of the Masons and Live Oak Lodge entitled, "The Live Oak Legacy, 160 Years, The Contributions of Free Masons to the History and Growth of Oakland, California and the East Bay, 1854-2014". His wife Pat spent weeks typing and helping him organize and edit the book. This was truly a labor of love and one of Jim’s proudest accomplishments. In 2017, Jim was recognized for fifty years of loving, loyal, and generous service to the Lodge and received his 50 year pin. He walked the streets of Oakland knocking on doors as a census taker, worked at polling sites during elections, and worked security each year at the Oakland Museum’s White Elephant Sale. He was always proud of the service his Lodge provided to the community, and he valued the importance of volunteering his time. Jim and Pat were avid sports fans. They loved cheering on their beloved Oakland Athletics and attended many games. They also enjoyed their Golden State Warriors basketball team. They watched their grandsons’ Little League and high school baseball games whenever possible. Jim and Pat also loved movies, music and musical theater. When their grandsons were grown and formed a classic rock band they frequently showed up at their gigs. Jim had a passion for American and world history. His collection of books and antiques is truly remarkable! Pet dogs and cats were always an important part of the Mann family household as well. Jim especially had a soft spot in his heart for golden retrievers. Jim will always be remembered as a warm, humble, intelligent man with a terrific sense of humor, and who loved nothing more than to sit and talk with family and friends. Jim is survived by his daughter Patricia L. Mann (Santa Fe, NM), his son James C. Mann and daughter in law, Francesca (Pinole, CA), his grandsons Michael (Galt, CA) and Garrett (Pinole, CA), his brothers in law Charles M. Hassett and Neil Peddicord (Williamsburg, VA.), his many nephews, nieces and cousins, and last but not least his beloved dog Molly. Jim was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 68 years Patricia H. Mann, his parents Bertha and Frederick Mann, and his brothers Jack and Robert (Bob) Mann. His ashes will be interred along with his wife's at Chapel of the Chimes in Oakland. A celebration of his life will be held at a later time. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to: Live Oak Lodge, Oakland, California https://www.liveoak61.com/ (510) 919-0301 email: [email protected] or Northern California Golden Retriever Rescue https://ngrr.org/donation.html Call 650-665-0964 for information about adoptions, surrenders, volunteering, donating. ~~~~~~ Soft and safe be thy resting place. Bright and Glorious thy Rising.