Born on Feb. 23, 1940, to Ralph and Edith Mann in Topeka, Kansas. John passed away on Feb. 1, 2026. Both of his parents preceded him in passing, as well as his wife, Sharon Kay Mann, having been together and married for 53 years.
John is survived by his two siblings, Marcia Keys and Jim Mann. Also survived by John are his four children; two daughters, Marcia Bocksler and Shelley Pfingsten; John’s two sons, Johnny Mann and David Mann. Also married to his daughter is Bob Pfingsten, John’s son-in-law. Continuing those survived by John are his three grandsons; Evan Bocksler, Travis Pfingsten and Jacob Pfingsten.
John lived the first part of his life in the Midwest, where he graduated Everest High School in 1958. Shortly after graduating, he served his country in the United States Air Force. He served as military police. Most of his active duty was on the island of Guam, with short terms of service in Asia. John was honorably discharged, ranking E-3 and receiving the Good Conduct Medal.
In 1971, John moved his family to the Pacific Northwest, first to Aloha, Oregon, and in 1978, John moved his family to Battle Ground, Washington. He lived out the next 48 years in that same house in Battle Ground. John supported his family, having only one job for all of his working years in the Pacific Northwest. He was an electrical engineer for a large industrial corporation in Portland.
John enjoyed fishing and hunting, and loved being in the outdoors. As an avid fisherman, he took many steelhead and salmon from the Wind River and the North Fork of the Lewis River, as well as many other rivers in the Pacific Northwest. He was also able to enjoy fishing some of the waters of Alaska and Mexico.
John’s favorite river was the North Fork of the Lewis River. It is his wishes to be cremated and taken to that very same river. It is there that the family will hold a small private service and say one final goodbye to John, with a scattering of his ashes. He will be missed by family and friends.
