James Lamar Maney, 74, passed away on October 19, 2017 at Skagit Valley Hospital in Mount Vernon, WA. James was born on January 30, 1943 in Lula, GA to Sterling Maney and Margaret Cochran. He grew up in Cornelia, GA and attended South Habersham High School.
James joined the Navy and served at Oak Harbor, WA, for a year where he met Darla Andrew from Mount Vernon. He then served on the USS Yorktown where he ran the ship’s store. He married Darla on August 19, 1968, and they just celebrated their 49th wedding anniversary.
James loved business and joined the crew at Thrifty Foods in Sedro Woolley after getting out of the service. He stayed with the company 23 years working his way up to Manager. In 1989 he bought College Way Foods in Mount Vernon and ran that store for 24 years before retiring in 2013. He also loved the stock market and would watch the reports faithfully each day.
Family was extremely important to James. He was also known for his keen sense of humor. He told his grandchildren that he was “pretty.” They told him that men are handsome and not pretty. Each time he saw a grandchild he would tell them that he was prettier than the last time he saw them. That brought lots of smiles.
He was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and held many church leadership positions over the years. He enjoyed working in the Bishop’s Storehouse that provided food items for church members in need.
He was preceded in death by his father, mother, sister, Peggy Smelcer, and brother, Donnie.
He is survived by his wife Darla and two children: Darin (Wendi) Maney, Lorton, VA, and Darcie (Duane) Koski, Syracuse, UT, one granddaughter and five grandsons, four aunts, three uncles and many nieces and nephews.
The family would like to give special thanks to the workers and many friends he made at Skagit Valley Hospital and Mira Vista Care Center. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Diabetes Foundation or a charity of your choice.
There will be a graveside service at 11:30, October 26th at Hawthorne Memorial Gardens in Mount Vernon, WA. James requested no funeral.
Courtesy announcement of Whitfield Funeral Homes & Crematory, North Chapel, 245 Central Avenue, Demorest, Georgia.