Former Congressman James Robert Mann, 90, of 118 West Mountain View Avenue, for 65 years husband of Virginia Brunson Mann, died Monday, December 20, at Pendleton Manor, after a long illness. Born in Greenville in 1920, he was the son of Alfred Cleo Mann and Nina Griffin Mann. Mr. Mann had a lifelong career in Greenville, both in elective office and in the practice of law. He graduated from The Citadel in 1941 and served in the Army throughout World War II, rising to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. He then graduated at the top of his class at the University of South Carolina School of Law in 1947, and entered law practice with his father, a former Mayor of Greenville. Mr. Mann served in the S.C. House of Representatives, 1948-1952. He then became Circuit Solicitor, 1953-1963, and later served five terms in the U.S. House of Representatives, 1969-1979. In Congress, as a member of the House Judiciary Committee, and as a moderate Southern Democrat, he was considered a central figure in the deliberations over the Impeachment of President Nixon, and statements by him in the televised hearings were widely quoted in the media. Upon leaving Congress, he returned to practice law in Greenville for another 25 years. Throughout his life, he also participated widely in civic affairs, in ways too numerous to mention but a few. He served as President of the Chamber of Commerce, and as a board member of the Greenville Hospital System, of the Shriners’ Hospital, and of the County Planning Commission, as well as of Presbyterian College, North Greenville College, and the Baptist Theological Seminary. He remained a member of the U.S. Army Reserves, 1946-1968, retiring as a Colonel. He was a lifelong member of Earle Street Baptist Church, serving often on its Board of Deacons. In his mid-70’s, he became an enthusiastic participant in the Senior Olympics, and in 2008 was one of the first inductees into the S.C. Senior Olympics Hall of Fame. In 1997 he was awarded the Order of the Palmetto by Governor David Beasley, in recognition of a lifetime of public service. In addition to his wife Virginia, originally of Charleston, he is survived by his sons James R. Mann, Jr. and David B. Mann (wife Carol) both of Greenville; and by his daughter Virginia Camarda (husband Tom) of Las Vegas, Nev., He was pre-deceased by his son William W. Mann (wife Claudette Didul) of Burbank, Calif. One of six siblings, he is survived by one brother, Dr. Thomas C. Mann of Greenville, and by his only sister, Betty Mann Jackson Newton of Hilton Head. He was pre-deceased by his brothers A.C. Mann, Jr., Joseph G. Mann, and John P. Mann. He is also survived by four grandchildren: Marion Mann, David Mann, Jr. (wife Courtney), Ross Mann, and William Mann, all of Greenville; by two step-grandchildren: Tom Camarda, Jr. (wife Tabitha) of Los Angeles, Calif., and Michele Willing (husband Nick) of London, England; and by six great-grandchildren. Funeral services will be held Thursday, December 23, 2010, at 2 p.m. at Earle Street Baptist Church. The family will receive visitors from 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, December 22, 2010, at Thomas McAfee Funeral Home Downtown. Tags: 1941
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