James Eirving Maness, known affectionately as Jim to both friends and family, embarked on his final adventure on March 1, 2025, in Washington Terrace, Utah. Born on July 3, 1955, in Pauls Valley, Oklahoma, Jim's journey through life was one filled with laughter, love, and a touch of good old-fashioned mischief.

Jim's early days in Oklahoma were just the prologue to a life story that would be both colorful and heartwarming. After a spirited youth, he sought adventure and discipline in the United States Navy, where he earned his GED, a testament to his belief that it's never too late to hit the books – especially when they're used to prop up a wobbly table.

After his service, Jim stood watch over the future minds of America as a security guard at the Ogden Weber Applied Technical College in Ogden, Utah. It was a role he took seriously, although he never missed a chance to crack a joke with students and faculty alike. Jim's pride in his conceded weapon permit was well-known; he'd often quip that it was his ticket to becoming a "certified bad guy deterrent."

Family was the cornerstone of Jim's life, and he leaves behind a legacy of love and laughter with his wife, Julie (Summers) Maness, and the memory of his son, James Paul Maness. Jim was the last leaf on his family tree, joining his father, James Homer Maness, and mother, Zolar Mae White, in whatever grand saloon the hereafter may hold.

Jim's nieces and nephews will remember their "Uncle Jim" as the man who could always be counted on for a mischievous twinkle in his eye and a story that could make even the sternest face crack a smile. He was a man who never let the truth get in the way of a good tale, especially if it could elicit a hearty laugh.

An avid outdoorsman, Jim loved to hunt and fish, often saying that nature was his favorite comedy club, where the squirrels were the hecklers and the fish were the slippery audience that often got away. He was a maestro at the pool table, wielding his cue stick with the finesse of a comedian delivering a punchline.

Jim's love for music was as vast as his repertoire of jokes, and he could carve wood with the same precision he used to carve out a niche in the hearts of those who knew him. His homemade moonshine and whiskey were the stuff of local legend – he'd joke that they were 'so smooth they could defuse family arguments.'

A crack shot, Jim found serenity in the echo of gunfire at the range, where target practice was his form of meditation. His friends often said that Jim could hit a bullseye with his eyes closed, though he'd argue that it was just because the targets were too afraid to move.

Describing Jim as intelligent, funny, and adventurous doesn't quite capture the man who lived life like it was a comedy special, always ready with a one-liner or a playful jab. His laughter was infectious, his wit sharp, and his spirit indomitable.

As we bid farewell to Jim, we're reminded that life, like a good joke, is all about the delivery. Jim delivered a life well-lived, full of joy and the occasional side-splitting laughter. He may have exited the stage, but his punchlines will echo in our hearts, and the stories of his escapades will be retold with smiles for years to come.

So here's to Jim, a man who taught us that life doesn't have to be taken too seriously – after all, none of us are getting out alive. Let's raise a glass of the good stuff in his honor and remember that every day is an opportunity to write your own punchline. Goodnight, Jim – the world was your comedy club, and we were all the better for it.

A memorial service will be held Saturday, March 15th at 2PM at Leavitt's Mortuary. 836 36th Street Ogden, Utah 84403. Friends may visit the family from 1-2PM prior to the service.