James Harold Manning, 90, of Ada, Oklahoma, went home to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on March 4, 2022 in Durant, Oklahoma.

Visitation will be Monday, March 7, from 5:00-7:00 p.m at Criswell Funeral Home in Ada.

Funeral services will be held 1:00 p.m. Tuesday, March 8, 2022 at Ada First Free Will Baptist Church, 421 South Ash, Ada, OK, with pastors Earl Hood of Center Free Will Baptist Church, Center, OK and Roger Ballard of Woodcrest Free Will Baptist Church, Catoosa, OK, officiating.  Burial will follow at the Tishomingo Cemetery.

James was born in Johnston County, OK, to Oscar and Hallie Shaffer Manning on October 24, 1931.  He went to school at Ravia.  He married Joan Anoatubby on March 19, 1949 in Madill, OK.  She preceded him in death in July 1992.  He worked at various jobs until finding the calling God had placed in his life, that of a firefighter.  He worked for 20 years at the Ada Fire Department retiring in July 1977 at the rank of captain.  He then worked at the Ada Housing Authority as the Director of Maintenance until his retirement in May 1992.  On October 9, 1992 James married Barbara Hellen Ballard at Center, OK.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Joan; parents, Oscar and Hallie; one brother, Clarence Manning; four sisters, Onie Grace Manning, Greter Brawley, Linnie Weaver and Ozella Vogan.

Survivors are his wife, Barbara, of Ada; sons, Jimmy and wife Patsi of Ardmore, Michael and wife Donna of Ada; stepsons, Roger Ballard and wife Vicky of Catoosa; Barry Ballard and wife LaDonna of Edmond; stepdaughter, Rita Smalling and husband Wendell of Hugo; along with numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Pallbearers are grandsons, John Manning, Sam Manning, Jared Manning, Hunter Palesano, Joshua Palesano and Ian Palesano.  Honorary pallbearers are all past and current firefighters of the Ada Fire Department.

The family of James wishes to extend our sincere thanks to the very special people that cared for him at Ada Baptist Village in Ada, Artesian Nursing Home in Sulphur and the medical staff at Alliance Health, Durant, OK.