Aubrey James "Jim" Manuel

Aubrey "Jim" James Manuel, born in Oakdale on September 20, 1945, son of the late Alvey Landry Manuel and Hilda Wilks Manuel, passed away on Tuesday, February 25, 2025, at the age of seventy-nine.
Jim loved spending time outdoors gardening, working in his yard and grilling. He was an avid fisherman and rarely missed an opportunity to get out on the water; even if he didn't catch anything (which unfortunately happened quite often) it was still a great day spent with friends or family. He was also blessed with woodworking skills and loved being in his shop creating things. In his lifetime, he created many keepsake pieces for friends and family
He had a love of music and in his early years, had a friend who gifted him a guitar. He kept that guitar and learned to play well; frequently playing for Liz, Dawn and his grandchildren. In his spare time, he and Liz also really enjoyed picnics and spending time with great grandchildren at the parks and shopping at Home Depot and Lowes (he could tell you what aisle most anything was on).
Jim was a devout Jehovah's witness and loved spending time in service and with the brothers and sisters from the Kingdom Hall.
He is preceded in death by his mother, Hilda Wilks Manuel, father, Alvey Landry Manuel and his wife, Emma Manuel; niece, Jennifer Manuel.
Survivors are his wife of fifty-five years, Elizabeth Ann Gauthreaux Manuel; daughter, Dawn Renee Manuel Smith; grandchildren, Cadence Manuel, Alexander Smith, Darian Spooner; great grandchildren, Ayla Elizabeth Spooner, Aubrey Elizabeth Bruce and arriving soon Amelia Kate Bruce; brothers, Larry Manuel and wife, Rhonda, Jerry Manuel and wife, Helen; sister, Priscilla Murphy and husband, Evin; numerous nieces and nephews.
Memorial services will be held in Johnson & Brown Funeral Home of Iowa on Saturday, March 8, 2025 at 3:30 p.m. A gathering of family and friends begins Saturday from 3 p.m. until 5 p.m. in the funeral home. Cremation has been entrusted to Johnson & Brown Funeral Home of Iowa.