James McLine Mann, 72, of Mountain Home, Texas, was taken to his heavenly home on February 26, 2025. His wife, Marcia, was at his side and he was surrounded by his family. Jim was born in Bridgeport, TX, to Truett Ward Mann and JoAnn Mask Mann on July 6, 1952. He married his best friend and partner in life, Marcia Gallagher, on May 6, 2001, at the Presidio La Bajia, in Goliad, TX.

Although born in Bridgeport, Jim grew up on the South Plains in Crosbyton, TX. He was an Eagle Scout and loved camping and hiking in Blanco Canyon and held many fond memories of his early life there. He moved from Crosbyton back to Bridgeport for his last two years of high school and made many more memories there.

After high school Jim enrolled at Texas A&M University in College Station, TX, where he was a member of the Corps of Cadets and the Ross Volunteers, a highly prestigious organization on the A&M campus. Life in the Corps was rigorous and demanding but he always said that it was a most precious time in his life and he was grateful for all it taught him. Jim graduated in December of 1974 with a degree in Environmental Design. He loved the tradition and all that A&M was in those days. Following graduation Jim took a commission in the United States Army as a Second Lieutenant, Cannon Field Artillery Officer and Forward Observer.

Upon his discharge from the Army Jim returned to raise his family in Bryan/College Station where he worked in Construction Management and had an independent construction framing crew. In 1985 Jim turned to a career in Law Enforcement and grew to love that field. He started his career at the College Station Police Dept. where he held several positions until moving on to the Brazos County Sheriff's Office in 1991. He was a member of the inter-agency Narcotics Task Force and was very proud of the discipline and efficiency with which they operated. He loved to be the first one through the door on any search warrant, often saying how he loved to ''kick the door''. His Task Force Commander told him to ''switch to combat boots because he was going to slip and bust his ass kicking in doors in those cowboy boots'', but of course Jim refused. After the taskforce he moved on to Criminal Investigations with the BCSO where he and his partner, Kenny Elliott, had one of the highest case clearance rates at the time.

Jim was passionate about Texas History and was heavily involved in a Living History Reenactment group, The Texas Army. His family also participated in this activity and he taught his sons, Matthew and Gabriel, primitive fire making and many other survival skills necessary in early Texas. They participated in many historical reenactment events across Texas which commemorated the struggle for Texas' independence from Mexico.

In 1994 Jim moved to the Victoria County Sheriff's Office as an Investigator and later as Patrol Division Lieutenant. He collaborated on cases with other agencies such as DPS investigations, TABC, and The Texas Rangers where he made many lifelong friends. In 2000 he returned to the Brazos County Sheriff's Office, serving as Sgt. over the Criminal Investigations Division until being promoted to Chief Deputy in 2001, where he served until his retirement in 2008. His passion was to bring the BCSO forward to a modern and well-equipped Department with the best technology available. He relied heavily on Sgt. Tom Randall to help carry out that mission and was very proud of their accomplishments.

In 2008 Jim retired and he and Marcia returned to south Texas outside the little town of Cuero, where he enjoyed raising Barbado sheep and a large vegetable garden. One of his greatest joys was having his grandchildren come out to stay at Cattail Creek. He spent time with each and every one, teaching them skills such as fire making, sword play with handmade wooden swords and shields, archery, working in the garden, playing in the mud etc.

In 2020 Jim and Marcia moved to the little community of Mountain Home outside of Kerrville and built a home where he was very much at peace and loved life in the Texas Hill Country. He had a lifelong love of camping and hiking and loved being out in ''God's Creation''.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents, Truett and JoAnn, grandparents and great grandparents, along with his cousin Carlos Mann whom he treasured deeply.

Survivors include his wife and best friend of 25 years Marcia, sons Matthew L. Mann and wife Courtney, Gabriel T. Mann and wife Jessica, Kenneth C. Moore and wife Carole, Brandon J. Moore and wife Harley, along with 12 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren. He is also survived by sister Mollye Gardner (Larry), brother Tom Mann (Donna), brother Bill Mann, and many nieces and nephews.

Rosary and funeral Mass will be held at St. Anthony's Catholic Church in Harper, TX, on April 26, 2025, at 10:00 AM. Representatives of the Brazos County Sheriff's Office will provide an Honor Guard.

Honorary pall bearers are Sgt. (Ret.) Tom Randall, Investigator (Ret.) Kenny Elliott, childhood & lifelong friend Marc Lowrie, former CSPD partner, Chief (Ret.) Nancy Mason, and Sgt. - DPS Criminal Intelligence (Ret.) John Schlinger.

In lieu of flowers please consider making a contribution in Jim's honor to The Shriner's Hospital for Children or St. Jude's Hospital for Children, both of which were dear to his heart.

The family wishes to extend our sincere thanks to the doctors and many nurses who cared for Jim at Peterson Regional Medical Center in Kerrville. Their kindness to both Jim and Marcia will never be forgotten.

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