LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – James Leslie Manuel of Upper Lake passed away in San Francisco on May 7, 2015.

He was born Nov. 17, 1941, to John Manuel and Vivian Mae Willis Manuel Daily in Santa Monica.

An avid gardener, James was a multiple ribbon-winner at the Lake County Fair. His prized entry was always something out of his garden – often it was related to the grape “tree” that he planted shortly after moving to Upper Lake in 1969.

James was a life-long Seventh-Day Adventist who considered the Lakeport church his home. He was proud of having been recently named a deacon of the church.

He volunteered countless hours to the church and its school, Westlake Adventist School, including teaching sign language to numerous students over the years.

Passing along sign language to the youth was especially important – James lost his hearing due to measles as a toddler.

During his lifetime, James found numerous ways to provide for his family, they included; gardener, welder, upholstery and recently beekeeper.

This last endeavor allowed him to provide for his church family. As the bees produced honey, he was able to sell much of it and donate the money to the school.

James was preceded in death by his father John (1971) and mother Vivian (2014). He is survived by his brother John Manuel of Sandy, Ore., and his sister Cheryl Toppa of Lake City, Fla.

Also surviving are his three children and their families: Dana, his wife Marcy and three children of Redding; Deidra Renee Bagley, her husband LeRoy and son Jarek of Yuba City; Walter, his children Bradley, Jessica and Claira of Woodland.

Services will be held at 3 p.m. Saturday, May 23, at Lakeport Community Seventh-Day Adventist Church, 1111 Park Way. Private interment will be held at Upper Lake Cemetery.

The family prefers donations be made to Westlake Adventist School, 6585 Westlake Rd, Lakeport, CA 95453, telephone 707-263-4607.

For further information contact Chapel of the Lakes Mortuary at 707-263-0357 or 707-994-5611 or visit www.chapelofthelakes.com .