Aaron Douglas Mann

AARON DOUGLAS MANN

Aaron Douglas Mann, a native Chicoan, died Sunday, March 11, 2007, in a hospital in Las Vegas following a brief illness.

In addition to his wife of 52 years, Barbara Mann; he is survived by a sister; Dorothy Irwin of Fruita, Colo.; a brother; Darwin, of San Diego and eight nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents; Arthur and Mary Mann, and two brothers; Forrest and LaMar.

In recent years he and his wife, Barbara, have made their winter home in Mohave Valley, Ariz., and spent summers in Jonesville. He was born May 22, 1935, attended Chico State and he worked in Chico for a number of years.

While in the area he was a member of the National Guard, serving as Company Commander of the Red Bluff unit, retiring with the rank of Captain.

He was a longtime member of Masonic organizations, including Chico-Leland Stanford Lodge, 111, and a member of Asiya Shrine Clowns serving as Director in 1988 and appearing in parades and entertaining at Children's Hospitals as "Hambone" for many years. Mann was owner of men's clothing stores and was involved in other business ventures in San Jose for many years. He also was a member of Scottish Rite of Freemasonry in San Jose and a member of San Francisco Court #004 of the Royal Order of Jesters.

Active in churches throughout his life, Mann served as an elder and chair of the board both at First Christian Church in Chico and at First Christian Church in Palo Alto. He has sung in choirs and is an associate member of Mohave Valley United Methodist Church.

In Jonesville he was instrumental in the formation of the Jonesville Cabin Owners, Inc. and headed that organization initially. He also worked to establish the Volunteer Fire Company #10 and the Butte Meadows-Jones Community Association. With his wife he was one of the authors of the historical volume, A Small Corner of the West -- Butte Meadows, Chico Meadows and Jonesville, California. Long active in scouting, he has been a volunteer Commissioner at Camp Lassen for the last eight years, assisting in the day to day operations of summer camp for hundreds of boys. Recently he has been president of the Colorado River Concert Association which not only presents four concerts per season but provides free programs to thousands of school children each year. In the Mohave Valley area he has also been a volunteer with the Mohave Valley Fire Department and active with C.E.R.T. (Citizens Emergency Response Team), a longtime hunter and fisherman and he has owned racing cars and participated in racing events throughout the West.

A Funeral Service is Saturday, March 17, 2007, at 1 p.m. in the First Christian Church followed by burial in Chico Cemetery. In lieu of flowers friends may contribute to one of the following: Camp Lassen; Colorado River Concert Association; ENCORE; Concerts for Young People Program; First Christian Church, Chico; Memorial Fund; First Christian Church, Palo Alto; Memorial Fund; Mohave Valley United Methodist Church; Mohave Valley, Ariz., in care of the Brusie Funeral Home, who is handling arrangements.