James Otis Mann, 88, of Collinsville, OK passed away on Saturday, August 2
nd, 2014.
He was born in Arkansas City, KS on August 27, 1925 to Jennie Marie (Blair)
and Charles Otis Mann. Shortly after his birth the family moved to Ponca
City, OK where younger siblings Phyllis and Kenneth were born. Jim graduated
from Ponca City High School in 1943 and enlisted in the Army Air Force
in July of that same year.
He served as a B-17 flight engineer in England during World War II and
was honorably discharged as a Staff Sergeant in March of 1946.
On October 21, 1945 he married Alean Slater. They eventually moved to Tulsa
where Jim earned his degree in Aeronautical Engineering from Spartan College
of Aeronautics and Technology and where they raised their children, James
Douglas Mann and Deborah Dale Mann.
In 1968 he married Valerie Erickson Green and moved her and her five children
to from Los Angeles, CA to Tulsa, OK where he was employed by McDonnell
Douglas. He worked for Douglas, and then, McDonnell Douglas for over 30
years before temporarily retiring. His retirement was short lived as he
returned to the work world as an engineer for Rockwell and was employed
there for 10 years.
He had many interests and hobbies through the years which included golf,
flying and raising/breeding horses. Until shortly before his death, he
still enjoyed watching golf tournaments, talking about his favorite airplanes
and flight experiences and caring for his horses, who were his pets and
best friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his younger brother Kenneth Charles
and his nephew Arnal Wiles, who shared his love of flying.
He is survived by his wife of 45 years, Valerie Erickson Mann of Collinsville;
his sister, Phyllis Mann Wiles of Ponca City; his children J. Douglas
Mann (Marsha) and Deborah Mann Wolin (Marc) of Tulsa; his step children,
Diane Green Mitchell (Bruce) and Brenda Green Shelton (Michael) of Owasso,
Daniel Paul Green (Jeannie) and Barbara Green Vest of Tulsa, and Deborah
Green Maienfisch (Shayne) of Watauga, TX. He is also survived by 18 grandchildren
and 24 great grandchildren.
A memorial service will be held in the Cremation Society of Oklahoma chapel
located at 2013 E. 3rd Street on Wednesday, August 6
th at 11:00 am.
