Born to parents John Mann and Frances (Sinkovitz) Mann, Jimmy came into this world on May 21, 1965, in Fort Ord, CA. He joined sister Kim. Shortly after Jimmy was born, our father John completed his service in the U.S. Army and moved his family back to the family farm/ranch north of Wolf Point, MT. Completing our family were brothers Shawn in 1968 and Charlie in 1980.
Jim completed 1st -8th grade at Frontier Elementary School (as one of the “north of the river rats”). Sometime around the 1st or 2nd grade, Jimmy’s gift of music began to surface and continued to grow and develop through his school years. Jimmy could be heard practicing the piano all day long in the summers playing difficult classical pieces along with the Entertainer, Maple Leaf Rag and so many other songs. He also played the bassoon. After completing his junior year at Wolf Point High School, Jimmy finished his education at a music school in Champaign Illinois. He then attended Rice University in Houston, TX, on a full music scholarship.
In this young, tender part of his life, Jimmy became ill and never was able to resume a normal life. He still continued to share his gift of music with others, spending a summer with the Fort Peck Summer Theatre and often playing for several churches in Wolf Point and Williston in his adult years.
Jimmy departed his earthly home at Bethel Lutheran Home in Williston, on November 21, 2019. Preceding him were his beloved mother, Fran, and brother Shawn. Missing Jimmy dearly are his father, John of Bozeman; sister Kimmy of Fairview, and brother Charlie Mann (Jen)of Bozeman; nephews Austin Mann (Taylor) of Lambert, Carter and Josiah Mann of Bozeman; niece Katie Mann of Bozeman; great niece Nevaeh and great nephew Lucas Mann of Lambert; our Uncles John and Paul, Aunts Alice, Helen, Joan, and Patsy, and several cousins; Jim’s dear friend Scott Clary, along with Jim’s beloved friends at Bethel.
With heartfelt gratitude, our family would like to say thank you to all who stopped to visit or call Jimmy throughout the years. A special Thank You to the staff at Bethel for all your many acts of love, kindness and compassion towards Jimmy. You are all appreciated.