James Benton Manford Sr.

James Benton Manford Sr., 94, passed away Monday, July 10. James was born June 5, 1923 in Guadalupe County to James William Manford and Margie Lee Rogers Manford. He married Patricia Ann Rider on January 26, 1947 in Dallas, Texas. James graduated from Luling High School with the class of 1941 and went to work as a sales clerk for H.O. Stair in Luling. Shortly thereafter James joined the U.S. Army Air Corps and was honorably discharged in November of 1945. He received his Bachelor of Arts degree in 1948 from Austin College and his Master’s degree in Education in 1955 from Southwest Texas State Teacher’s College. Between earning these degrees’ James attended Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary for two years. He had received several teaching certifications that made him a valued asset to every school district in which James worked. James had been a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Luling, the Texas State Teacher’s Association, the Texas Industrial Vocational Association, the Texas Vocational Teachers Association, the American Vocational Association, the Hardeman Masonic Lodge # 179 A.F. & A.M., the Eastern Star Chapter 155, the American Legion Post #177, the San Marcos Commandry #56 Knights Templar, the American Ex-Prisoners of War Austin Chapter where James had served in many capacities including State Commander and National Director through the South Central Region, Disabled Veterans Doug Herrle #61 Chapter, the Texas Rangers Association, the 486^th Bomb Group Association, 8^th Airforce Association and he had served as a volunteer for the Spring Branch Fire Dept., and he had served as a reserve peace officer for the Harris County Sherriff’s Department.

James’ work ethic was diligent and with purpose. He started his teaching career in Blackney, Kentucky teaching math and biology. He returned to Texas to teach in the Charlotte ISD and then was a Principal and teacher in the Lytle ISD. James moved his family to Houston where he worked for the Spring Branch ISD as a teacher, Coordinator of the Industrial Cooperative Training and advisor to the Spring Branch VICA Club. He worked through the various Independent School District’s for a total of 32 years and touched the hearts and minds of students for over 3 decades. He and his wife were lovingly known as Ma and Paw Manford by his former students and through the years many grateful students continued to pay their respects long after having graduated. James’ house had an open door policy where he never turned someone in need away. He knew all too well the feelings of hopelessness, fear and hunger. James had been part of 1^st LT. Bill Wiley’s crew of a B-17 bomber of the 486^th where James served as the tail gunner and when called upon, the bombardier. The crew had completed 23 missions before the B-17 “Oh! Miss Agnes” was crippled from flak to the right wing and engine 3 over Munich and was forced to dump its ordinance and attempt a belly landing near Sonthofen Germany on the 2^nd of February 1945. All the crew survived but were immediately captured and placed in solitary confinement in Kaufbeuren AFB and Dulag Luft in Wetzlar Germany. James was moved to Stalag Luft 3 in Nuremburg and again to Stalag VIIA in Moosburg Germany all promised living in conditions that did not meet the protocols for prisoners of war set in the 1929 Geneva Convention. General Patton’s 3^rd Army liberated all the POW’s from Stalag VIIA in May of 1945. James was never able to lay the horrors of the war completely to rest; he learned to live with them by constantly working. He committed himself to anything he thought righteous and productive to lose himself in anything good. James too, was unbroken. James withstood a stroke that took that part of his memory away, but happily freed him to fully and completely enjoy everything glorious in his life. A life well lived and potential bested.

James was a leader in his career path, an example of selflessness and love. He was a man of tremendous faith. He loved history and took it upon himself to tell the truth as he lived and breathed it to his students and family. While teaching in Spring Branch, James loved his weekends at the home place in Luling. After he retired he submersed himself in ranching and working his cattle. James delighted in working the home place. He always found a reason to keep spare parts, nuts and bolts and he knew for certain that every bent nail could be straightened for good use later. He renewed friendships and celebrated new acquaintances in Luling and in all the organizations he given so much of himself too. Luling was home for James, a safe place, a place to be.

James B. Manford Sr. is survived by loving family, daughters and son-in-law, Cheryle Lynn and Richard Schwake of Harker Heights, Janie Lee and Ricky Campion of Gonzales, son and daughter-in-law, James Benton Jr. and Althea Manford of Houston, grandchildren, Jeanette and Ty Morace, Billy Gene, II and Theresa Schwake, Tanner Allen and Crystal Schwake, Charlie James Campion and Jessie Holt, Jamie Lynn Manford, Lauren Nashe’ and Micah Murphy, Robert Earl Manford and great-grandchildren, Richard Thomas and Brandon Mathew Schwake. He was preceded in death by his beloved parents, wife, Patricia, son, William Eugene Manford, granddaughter, Angela Marie Manford, sisters, Margie Lee Schultz, Betsy Cecilia Kilobassa and a brother, Knox Eugene Manford.

Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Friday, July 14 in O’Bannon Funeral Home with Pastor Michael Murphy and Rev. Monica Smith officiating. Interment will follow in the Luling City Cemetery. Pallbearers: Charlie Campion, Micah Murphy, Billy Schwake, Tanner Schwake, Jamie Manford and Robert Manford. Honorary pallbearers: all Ex-POW’s. The family will receive friends from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday evening in O’Bannon Funeral Home in Luling. Memorials may be made to the Lockhart American Legion Post #41 or the Luling Presbyterian Church. Friends may sign the guestbook by going online to www.seydlerhillfuneral.com. Services are under the care and direction of O’Bannon Funeral Home.