James Mannix

James Patrick Mannix, 75, was born in Oakland, California on January 14, 1949. Jim was the son of Michael Joseph Mannix, who immigrated to America from Ireland through Ellis Island, and Mary Elizabeth Padian. Jim was a proud Irish American and patriot who left this Earthly world on February 10, 2024 after a battle with cancer. 

Jim grew up in Oakland, California where he attended St. Jarlath’s Parochial School through grade 8 and graduated from Oakland High School in 1967. His first jobs were feeding the ducks at Lake Merritt in Oakland and delivering newspapers for the Oakland Tribune. Jim enjoyed swimming and later became a lifeguard at the pool in Dimond Park down the street from his childhood home. 

After graduation, Jim was drafted into the United States Army at the age of 19, and served for over a year in Vietnam as a Military Policeman. As a Corporal in the Army, he was awarded the Bronze Star, as well as an Army Commendation Medal, a National Defense Service Medal, and other medals and honors. As an Army Veteran, he was proud to have served his country and proud to be an American.

Upon returning from Vietnam, Jim returned to civilian life and had a short career with the Oakland Police Department before becoming a landscape contractor. He started his 32 year long career with the Alameda County Water District in 1976 as a Gardener, was promoted to an Engineering Technician, and eventually became a Construction Inspector. Jim was also president of the Union for 4 years and he was also a licensed HAM Radio operator who volunteered during the Oakland firestorm in 1991.   

Jim married the love of his life, Lynette Ann Souza on April 21, 1990, and became a bonus dad to his stepdaughter Stephanie Lyn Smith. Through their 34 years of marriage, Jim and Lyn were inseparable and true life partners. They enjoyed skiing, vacationing in their RV, off roading, and traveling around the world. In their travels, they visited every continent except Antarctica. Jim was an amazing chef and baker, and a proud member of their friends’ Gourmet Group. An avid gardener, he loved planting a garden of fruits and vegetables, and truly had a green thumb.   

Upon his retirement in 2003, Jim moved to La Quinta, California where he enjoyed golfing at The Palms Golf Club. He was a board member for the HOA, and volunteered with the City of La Quinta Police Department and Riverside County Sheriff with the Citizens on Patrol. He had the honor of becoming a grandfather to Mason Andres Trevino in 2015, and again in 2019 with the birth of his second grandson, Hudson James Glen Trevino. Jim loved spending time with his grandsons, who affectionately call him Bompa. 

Jim is survived by his loving wife, Lynette Ann Mannix, daughter Stephanie Lyn Smith, son-in-law Nicholas Ryan Trevino, and their two sons Mason Andres Trevino and Hudson James Glen Trevino, father in law Raymond Joseph Souza, son Ryan Alexander Mannix, daughter Kara Lynn Mannix, brother Michael Joseph Mannix Jr., sister Helen Marie Nielson, nephews Kevin and Stephen Nielson, and niece Katie Smith, nephew Raymond Joseph Souza III, and niece Emily Marie Souza. Jim is preceded in death by his father Michael Joseph Mannix, and mother Mary Elizabeth Mannix.