James Cooper Mann, Jr. passed from this earth on March 17, 2015, after a long battle with Alzheimer’s disease.

James was born in Wheeler, Texas, on July 15, 1925, the eldest of four children and only son of James Cooper Mann, Sr. and Cecelia Ogan Mann. James spent his childhood in parsonages in west and central Texas as his father, a Methodist minister, moved the family to different assignments.

He graduated from high school in Granger, Texas, in l942 and attended Texas Wesleyan College for one year before Uncle Sam claimed him when he turned 18. He served as a foot soldier in the 95th Infantry Division of George C. Patton’s Third Army, landing on Omaha Beach, Normandy in l943. He was one of the “Iron Men of Metz”.  He received an honorable discharge at the end of World War II and returned to Texas to attend Southern Methodist University, receiving a BA degree in Economics in 1952.

He worked for Procter & Gamble for a short time before beginning his pre-med at North Texas State University. He received his Doctor of Medicine from the University of Texas, Southwestern Medical School in 1957. He did his Internship with the U S Public Health Service in Seattle, Washington, where he met his bride to be, Phyllis Cole Huycke. Jim remained with the USPHS for another year, working with the Indian Service in Winslow, Arizona. He and Phyllis were married in Seattle on June 27, 1959, and moved to Beaumont. Jim adopted Phyllis’ two children, Teresa Jeanne Huycke and Richard Arthur Huycke, soon after their move to Texas and the children also took the name of Mann. During the next six years Jim and Phyllis added four more children, Michelle Maureen, Katherine Leslie, Tracy Elizabeth, and James Cooper Mann III to the rapidly growing family.

Jim was working very hard during this time to establish his also rapidly growing medical practice. His obstetrical practice took off like wildfire and he also worked with established surgeons who gave him the confidence to establish his own surgical practice, doing major and minor and gynecological surgery regularly. He made house calls and covered needs of all kinds in his forty-three years in general practice. He was in solo practice and vacations were rare. One special vacation was a hike down the Bright Angel Trail in the Grand Canyon with his son, Jay (JCM III). He loved having his family with him as he traveled to medical meetings across the state and Mexico. He would squeeze in a day of fishing or exploring a historical landmark on the way. His great love was gardening in his back yard and spending hours up in his favorite pecan tree grafting in new species. This tree grew seventeen different species of pecan. He loved Beaumont and remarked that this was a good place to have lived most of his life. 

He served on the Administrative Board and the Building Committee at First United Methodist Church and on the Membership Committee of the Beaumont Chamber of Commerce. He served on the Volunteer Faculty at the Lamar University Law Enforcement Academy and was an Instructor at the UTMB Family Practice residency at St. Mary’s Hospital in Port Arthur.  He was on the Active Staff of St. Elizabeth Hospital, Beaumont Medical & Surgical Hospital, and Baptist Hospital of Southeast Texas (formerly) with numerous committee memberships. He was Chief of Staff of Beaumont Municipal Hospital. James gave many volunteer hours over the years to organized medicine, serving the Texas Medical Association as a chairman or an officer in many different capacities including Founding Director of the 9th Congressional District, TEXPAC, President of the Tenth Medical District, and Chairman of the Board of Councilors. The Texas Medical Association honored him with their highest award, The Distinguished Service Award, on May 14, 1992.

Phyllis, a Registered Nurse, joined Jim’s office staff as soon as the children entered pre-school and served as his office manager, medical secretary, correspondent, and driver until she retired in 2002. Jim chose to retire in 2003 and immediately faced a battle with Non Hodgkins Lymphoma, winning that battle and celebrating with a trip to France where he retraced his WW II steps through France, Luxembourg, Holland, Belgium, and Germany. His brother-in-law, Leland Cole and wife, Alta, joined Jim and Phyllis on that trip and served as chauffeurs and supportive friends. The foursome also enjoyed a cruise to Alaska together. 

Jim was President of the Beaumont Academy of Medicine, a founding member of the American Association of Physicians and Surgeons, a member of the Texas Medical Association, the American Medical Association, Texas Society of Athletic Team Physicians, American Association of Military Surgeons, Southeast Texas Chapter of Texas Association of Family Practice, and American Association of Family Practice.  

He is survived by his wife, Phyllis Louise Cole Mann; his daughters and sons-in-law, Teresa Jeanne McDonald in Vancouver, Washington; Michelle Maureen Shelor and David in Cedar Park, Texas;  Katherine Leslie Powell and Jeff in LaGrange, Texas; Tracy Elizabeth Erickson and Mark in Austin, Texas; and James Cooper Mann III in Cedar Park, Texas; his grandchildren and spouses, Stephanie McDonald Lappano and Michael; William Louis McDonald and Heather; Michael Wayne McDonald and Lindon; Phoebe Shelor and Griffin Shelor; Colton Powell; and Trevor Pyle; his great-grandchildren, Dylan and Mataya McDonald and Viva and Marcello Lappano. He is also survived by his sisters, Cecilia Bynum and Nan Mann both of Athens, Texas and Dorothy and Albert Dahl of Fort Worth; nieces and nephews, Martin and Lynda Dahl, Narnie and David McCahan, Allen and Natalia Dahl, Louisa and Bob Tillson, Danny and Cynthia Bynum,  Christopher Bynum, James and Kate Bynum, Reverend Jonathon and Lea Bynum, Cecilia and Pete Smith; grandnieces and nephews, Jessie and Julia Bynum, Joshua, Susannah, Lucas, and Samuel Bynum, Mathew and Myranda Bynum, Erin and Jack Bishop and Lila Dahl.

He is preceded in death by his son, Richard; and by his parents, Reverend James Sr. and Cecilia Mann. 

A gathering of Dr. Mann’s family and friends will be from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m., Friday, March 20, 2015, at Broussard’s, 1605 North Major Drive, Beaumont. His memorial service will be at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, March 21, 2015, at First United Methodist Church, 701 Calder Avenue, Beaumont. A family committal was held at Broussard’s Crematorium in Beaumont.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, 700 North Street, Suite M, Beaumont, Texas 77701 or First United Methodist Church, 701 Calder Avenue, Beaumont, Texas 77701.