James W. Manton

After 84 years of life well lived, The Lord whistled Jim "Jimmy" Manton home to Heaven at Madrone Hospice in Yreka, California on November 28, 2023. Jim lived with dementia the last part of his life but by the Grace of God, he still knew & loved his family & friends, was abundantly thankful for his blessings, and loved The Lord with ALL his heart! Jim was truly one of a kind! He was an Authentic Cowboy...they don't make them like him anymore! At 5 years old, he rode after cows to the Eddy Mountains with Stewart Hammond through several feet of snow. Jim cowboyed all over the West, from here to Idaho, Oregon, Washington, & parts in between. In his youth Jim rode bucking broncs in rodeos all over, traveling with his buddy Carl Bontrager and having the time of his life. Working in auction yards was also in his job description for several years; including Yreka Stockyards, Shoshone Idaho Stockyards, and managing the 3rd largest stockyard in the nation in Marysville, WA. There wasn't anything Jim couldn't rope...including a deer or two. He used to compete in rodeos and jackpot ropings; both as a header and a heeler. He cut his little finger off, not once but twice! As the story goes, the 1st time he cut it off, the Doc sewed it back on, but unfortunately, he sewed it back on crooked, so it always stuck out & got in the way of fast roping. Inevitably that finger did get caught in the rope; and it came right off, and he just left it in the arena. It NEVER got in the way again and most people never noticed his missing finger. One of Jim's finest pleasures in later life was going to several calf brandings every spring. Jim was a Great Horseman! He was riding horses by 4 years old, training colts as a kid, breaking snorty broncs in his teens, and only quit riding the last few years of his life. As he grew in age & wisdom, Jim knew how horses thought, and he trained them with patience & finesse. When you were riding one of his broke horses you could just think about stopping, and from a full gallop that horse would put on the brakes! From Cow horses to Halter horses, Western Pleasure to Roping, and Cutting to Trail; Jim bred, raised, and trained many champion Quarter Horses and Paints. Not only was Jim a horse trainer but he also trained, rode, and packed mules. Now that really takes patience & finesse. To quote Jim, "if you make a mistake with a mule, it may be your last one!" He enjoyed packing with Jim & Mary Kleaver & Joan Akana out of Lover's Camp in the Marble Mountains; being out in God's country was his favorite place! Jim was also a World Class Farrier! He started shoeing horses as a kid out of necessity and then it became his profession. He even shod racehorses on the track, which takes a special talent! One time, when he had just had his gall bladder removed a few days earlier & he was watching someone else struggle to trim a horse at his place, he got so frustrated that even though he was in his bathrobe & hurting, he grabbed the nippers & rasp and did it himself! Now that's grit, TRUE GRIT!!! Everyone that knew Jim was at one time or another treated to his gifted storytelling. Some of the stories about his life and adventures seemed almost mythical, but more often than not, they were TRUE!!! Looking back over Jim's life, his life was a grand adventure!!! Full of courage, bravery, tough times & great times, hard work & fun, and love & sorrow. He was loved by many & he will be missed by all!!! Jim was well over 50 when he came to truly know our Lord & Savior Jesus Christ. He had a sweet & intimate relationship with Him. One hot July day, at Tree of Heaven Campground his church, Covenant Chapel, was having their annual Baptism. After Jim listened to "Pasto" Jack Ralston explain the importance of baptism and how it was like wearing God's Brand, Jim, who had been raised Catholic and baptized as a baby realized that he wanted to be baptized as an adult. It was a glorious sight! Jim in his blue jeans, white t-shirt, & suspenders wading into the Klamath River to be baptized by "Pasto" and Pastor Tim Nilsson. James W. Manton was born August 3, 1939, to James & Marie "Gammy" Manton in Altadena, California. He grew up in Edgewood with his siblings Betty, Marie, Marrion, Frank "Poncho", & Carl. Jim was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. He is survived by his loving wife of 34 years Betty Jo, his sister-in-law Bev (Terry) Atkins of Roseburg, OR, his children; Robin Monchamp of Winnemucca, NV, Marlee (Scott) Billinglsey of Yreka, Cheryl (Jesse) Gonzalez of Spring Creek, NV, and Greg (Amy) Ford of Kennewick, WA. Jim was the proud grandfather of 13: Kelsey (Zane), Shaynee, Jace (Alyssa), Blake (McKenzie), Scotty (Emily), Gage, Elaina, Gabriella, Garrett, Colton, Bryce, Brooklyn, & Addisen, and great-grandfather of 8: Twins Izzy & Avery, Stiles, Sophia, Belimy, Luke, Leytin, & Pierce. He was predeceased by his son Scott Manton, his parents, and all his siblings. The family would like to extend their profound thanks and gratitude to Madrone Hospice for their care, compassion, and support during Jim's final months, and to Jim's church, his family, and friends. In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy can be made to benefit Covenant Chapel; 200 Greenhorn Rd, Yreka, CA 96097, or Madrone Hospice Inc.; madronehospice.org 255 Collier Circle Yreka, CA 96097. We are celebrating Jim's life Saturday, March 16th at 11am at Covenant Chapel on Greenhorn Road in Yreka. Everyone is welcome. Reception afterwards.

James W. Manton

August 3, 1939 - November 28, 2023