James (Jimmy) Herman Manley, Jr.

James (Jimmy) Herman Manley, Jr, 81, of Garland, Texas, passed away on May 31, 2025, peacefully at home surrounded by his loving family. Jimmy was the oldest of three children born to James Herman Manley, Sr. and Johnnie Clara Witherspoon Manley, on April 28, 1944, in Atlanta, Georgia. He was a wonderful husband, father, granddad, great-granddad, and friend.

Jimmy was raised in Garland and graduated from Garland High School in 1962. He attended Henderson County Junior College on a basketball scholarship. He then received a Bachelor and Masters of Science from North Texas State University and a Masters of Business Administration from the University of Texas at Dallas. He married the love of his life, Mary Leigh Van Sickle Manley, on June 10, 1966, at Calvery Baptist Church in Garland. He was the proud parent of two children Jefferey Thomas and Michelle Leigh. Jimmy was employed by Kraft Foods and retired in 2002, when he started his second career for GISD at Sachse High School. He enjoyed all sports but his favorite was golfing with his friends Gracy, Bobby, Matt, and Ron.

Jimmy is preceded in death by his parents Johnnie and Herman Manley, parents by marriage Laverna and Warren Van Sickle, and brother-in-law Ron Van Sickle. He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Mary Leigh Manley, one son Jeff (Trina) Manley of Garland, Texas, and one daughter Michelle (Mark) Hoyt of Arkadelphia, Arkansas. He was blessed with two grandsons Justin (Chelsie) Odle-Manley, Coltan (Denise) Manley, granddaughter Jordan Hoyt, three great-grandchildren Hadley, Justin Jr Odle-Manley, and Allan Deckard. He is also survived by his brother Ron (Nohemi) Manley, sister Jonda Williams, brother-in-law Larry Van Sickle, sister-in-law Deb Van Sickle and several nieces, nephews, and great-nieces/nephews.

The family will welcome guests at Charles W. Smith and Sons, Sachse on Sunday, June 8 from 1pm – 3pm. At Jim’s request, there will be no funeral or burial services.

To know Jimmy was to love him!